[foxi loxi]

Hey guys
i made some rather delicious rhubarb and orange marmalade last week the thing is it isn't particularly thick it's more like a compote, can anyone tell me what i may have done wrong?
Many thanks

[pigeonpie]

Hi,
Generally marmalade and jam goes too thick when it either has too much sugar or it's been boiled for too long.
It sounds delicious though, do you have the recipe?  I always have plenty of rhubarb but don't really like the texture of it as a jam but marmalade sounds great.   

[mumofstig]

have you got the recipe, it may be that there wasn't enough lemon juice or pectin, for a good set. Were the oranged seville, or ordinary?

I think we need the ingredients

[foxi loxi]

i only made a small amount (two jars ) from some rhubarb that i got from a friend.

500g Rhubarb
200g Sugar
Zest and juice of two oranges
70ml Water
Pop them all in a pan, bring to a boil then simmer for 45 minutes!

It just seemed too easy lol
I didnt peel (if thats the right word) the rhubarb, not sure if you have to, but i love the texture!

[Val H]

Rhubarb is very lacking in pectin, the amount of sugar for the recipe is less than half that of the "fruit" and the pectin in oranges is contained in the white pith and pips. The recipe only calls for the zest and juice of the the oranges! I'm not surprised that it didn't set. Low sugar recipes on their own can be difficult to get a set and, with there being next to no pectin in the recipe, it's going to be near enough impossible in my opinion. Next time it would suggest that you add some home made pectin stock or commercial liquid or powdered pectin.

[pigeonpie]

I'm really sorry, I've just realised that I read the original post wrong.  I thought it said that it was thick.  D'oh!   

[foxi loxi]

Thanks for that Val, off to google pectin stock 

[MoreWhisky]

I like the sound of this recipe  .

Im going to give it a go , can you buy this powered pectin or commercial liquid stuff in the supermarket? that you mention Val H, thanks.

[Yorkie]

The liquid stuff is in T*scos, called Certo.

Haven't seen the powdered stuff in there - others will say if it's in any other supermarkets.

[Val H]

You can get Silver Spoon powder pectin in a box of 3 sachets from Morrisons, some co-ops and (although I've not been in one for ages) some Asda stores. I usually get mine from Morrisons. Sainsburys and Tesco do liquid pectin, either Certo or their own brand name.

[sarajane]

I make quite a lot (about 20 jars) or rhubarb and ginger jam each year.  Its delicious and was always on the runny side until I added certo.  This is mainly due to the fact rhubarb has virtually no pectin so always have to add some.

The liquid certo is easier to use as I find I have to sieve the powdered form as I sometimes get a couple of dryish particles in the jam  -  still yummy tho.  I can't always find the certo though

[foxi loxi]

o0o0o0o rhubarb and ginger sounds gorgeous, what recipe do you use?

[sarajane]

Not quite sure where I got the receipe from but here goes

4lb rhubarb cut into about 1 inch chunks
4 lb sugar
juice of 2 lemons
about a 3 inch 'finger' of ginger, sliced very thinly and then cubed into teensy weensy pieces
packet of pectin or jar of certo

Chop the rhubarb and ginger the night before you cook the jam, place in a large pan with the sugar and lemon juice and a packet of pectin and stir together well.

The following day, slowly bring to boil and then boil rapidly for about 5 minutes or until setting point is reached.

If you want a slightly stronger ginger flavour you can add say, 1 tspoon of groung ginger but you would have to experiment with the flavour.

Its great on toast etc but we also eat it when having a curry  -  it makes a lovely 'dip' for poppadums  -  alternative to mango chutney.

[Alec_Macpherson]

Yupples, as said above, rhubarb has little to no pectin... I wouldn't call the stuff I make marmalade, and the stuff I call jam has 50% sugar. 

As an aside, I have access to 'bout four supermarket trolleys of the rhu'.  So far, I'd made jam and chutney, and am about to try ketchup.  What else to try?

[compostqueen]

I opened a jar of this the other day that someone made for me for Christmas. Wierd colour but it's lovely