How to Make Jam for Beginners: A Beginner's Guide to Homemade Jams

Today we will explore the fascinating and tasty world of jam cooking! We will show you how to make homemade jam easy. Here are the basic ingredients, equipment and steps that you will need to start your jam-making journey. So how to make fruit jam at home:

What fruit jam ingredients do we need to create tasty and delightful jam?

1. Fruits. Let's start with fruits. These are the main ingredients of every jam. Remember to look for fresh fruits full of taste and sun like raspberries, blueberries, cherries, apricots or combinations of various fruits.

2. Sugar would be the second important ingredient. Thanks to sugar your jam becomes sweet and thick. We can use various substitutes as well, such as stevia, monk fruit sweetener, agave nectar, maple syrup, xylitol or honey. Xylitol would be the perfect solution for your homemade jams if you would like to substitute sugar.

3. Very often we will use pectin in our homemade jams. It will help to thicken the whole jam mass. It is worth mentioning that some fruits are high in pectin such as plums, apples, blackberries or cherries, but others need some pectin mixed.

4. To add acidity to your jam you can use some lemon juice or citric acid.

What kitchen tools do we need to create colourful homemade jam?

1. First of all we will need a large bowl to wash our fruits properly.

2. Then prepare a large and heavy-bottomed pot. It will help us cook the perfect jam without burning it.

3. Next we will need a big long-handled spoon or dipper to mix the jam while cooking to prevent it from burning and rising. We will also use the long-handled spoon or dipper to skim the foam from the jam.

4. Jars are also very important while preparing our homemade jam. Sterilize the jars and use them with lids.

5. Thermometer is another important kitchen tool that we should use while cooking homemade jam.  

6. Ladle will be used to ladle the homemade jam into jars.

So what steps should we take to prepare the delicious homemade jam?

1. First of all, prepare the fruits by washing them. Then peel, remove the pits, mash or dice the fruits if needed.

2. Then spoon some sugar over the fruits.

3. Prepare the big pot and cook the fruits with some sugar, citric acid, lemon or orange juice or zest. Cook the jam over low or medium heat, stirring to prevent your homemade jam from burning or rising until the fruit mass thickens.

4. Then we should check if the jam is ready, so use the thermometer to check the jam readiness. As an alternative, spoon some jam on the plate and check the consistency or thickness of the jam with a finger or spoon.

5. Meanwhile we should prepare the jars by sterilizing them in the oven or boiling in water for 10-15 minutes.

6. When the jam and jars are ready, ladle the jam into the sterilized jars and seal them.

7. Process the jars in boiling water for about 5 to 15 minutes.

8. Cool the jars with your homemade jam and keep them in a dark place. 

There are few tips you should know before you start preparing the jam

Remember to stay consistent in cooking the jam. Cook it stirring until it gets thick enough. Add some spices such as vanilla or cinnamon. Also you can add some orange or lemon zest. Play with pectin by adding it more or less. If the fruits you are using in your jam are low in pectin then use store-bought pectin. 
Experiment by adding new fruits and flavours to enjoy your jam year-round.