[Missy1970]

Hello

I've picked some early blackberries lovely big berries however they are pretty tart is it worth making them into jam or a pie or will no amount of sugar make them palatable and should I just wait until the autumn crop are ready I've no experience of either early blackberries or jam making so I'm a complete novice

Thanks
Missy

[antwilk]

to be honest i would just give it a try there is some recipes for bramble jelly if you google it its easy enough i made a few jars last year

[Livinhope]

I would have thought if they are very tart the jam or jelly would set better, can you get hold of a few apples to put with them?  I would add more sugar than the recipe says to start with but try as you go.

[DD.]

to be honest i would just give it a try there is some recipes for bramble jelly if you google it its easy enough i made a few jars last year

Why Google when this site is full of recipies?  Here's the blackberry one:

http://www.allotment-garden.org/recipe/132/blackberry-jelly-recipe/

[Livinhope]

Give it a go, as the recipe includes apples it should be fine.

[gembob]

I have just made a lovely blackberry and raspberry jam yesterday and it is lovely and sweet. I just used the same weight of sugar as the fruit and a little squeeze of lemon. It was also my first attempt and I am so pleased with the result. I was so shocked at how easy it was to make. Good luck, let us know how you get on. 

[Livinhope]

I have just made a lovely blackberry and raspberry jam yesterday and it is lovely and sweet. I just used the same weight of sugar as the fruit and a little squeeze of lemon. It was also my first attempt and I am so pleased with the result. I was so shocked at how easy it was to make. Good luck, let us know how you get on. 

And think of the money you've saved 

[Missy1970]

Gembob

Could you share your recipe?

Thanks
Missy

[gembob]

It was just guess work to be honest. I have now bought scales and going to follow a recipe but for the first batch I just put the berries in quarter of a pint of water and boiled and then added one and 3/4 cups of sugar and the juice of a lemon and left to simmer for about 25 minutes. 

I put a plate in the freezer and kept trying the juice on the cold plate to see if it set and it worked perfect.

If I was to do the same again I would use half a lemon though. My other half was very impressed considering it was just guess work, lol. I am hoping to try a few recipes and store them. Ill keep you posted on my next attempt.

[DD.]

If you want cheap blackberries, they're only £7.47 a kilo in Tesc*.

Bargain.

[mike1987]

If you want cheap blackberries, they're only £7.47 a kilo in Tesc*.

Bargain.

wow only £7.47 that means i get about £200 a year worth of them for free
it always amazes me that something that i seen as a weed in many places is so expensive especially as next door to one of the t***o stores thats near me there is a half mile lane bordered on both sides wth bramble bushes

[DD.]

Picked 20 quids worth this morning from the hedgerow at the side of our site, simmering at the mo for some of Val's Blackberry and Apple Jelly.

My "Loch Ness" berries are a very dark red and will be ready soon. Just off to put up a security fence around them.

[mike1987]

im just waiting for a day off work then i will be out in the car with a couple of buckets to make some jam ive only just delve into the world of brew your own so may even try make the wife some wine i cant stand most wines so will jut stick to beer for myself

is it just me or do the brambles seem earler than ussall this year?

[mumofstig]

I advise anyone who fancies jam making to buy a jam thermometer...........it takes all the guesswork out of it 

[Livinhope]

If you want cheap blackberries, they're only £7.47 a kilo in Tesc*.

Bargain.

.......and I'll bet there are lazy so and so's who will buy them.