How To Make Your Own Jam And Preserve It

There's something so satisfying about making your own jam. The smell of the fruits bubbling away in the saucepan. The feeling that you have your life together because who actually has time to make jam and yet here you are, doing it. The fact that you can tell everyone you made it and be understandably smug about it. Oh, and it also tastes 100% better than any store-bought jam. 

Perfect for spreading on things, jam can make breakfast just a little bit more exciting, and if you preserve it right, you'll be enjoying your homemade jam for many meals to come! If you don't know where to start, all you have to do is keep reading... 

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Top Jam-Making Tips 

- You can use any fruit you want to make jam, just make sure it's ripe but still firm. 

- Turn the sweetness all the way up! In other words, don't be afraid to use sugar. Not only does it help the jam to set, the sugar helps keep nasty mould from claiming your jam as its own. We recommend using half a cup of sugar for every cup of chopped fruit. 

- To set, jam needs the right ratio of acid and pectin. Now we can almost hear you say "what is pectin?" Luckily for you, we're about to tell you. Pectin is a natural and commercially produced essential ingredient that helps the jam to set. High-acidic fruits like any citrus fruits, cherries, green apples, pineapples, raspberries, and plums already have high amounts of pectin so you won't need to worry about it as much. If you're using fruits that are low in acid, such as rhubarb, apricots, peaches, and strawberries, then you need to add lemon juice. 

- One way to help your jam reach 'Setville', is to cook it with a muslin pouch full of lemon rind and seeds (because they're naturally high in pectin). 

- Try cooking your jam in small batches so that the fruit retains its natural colour and flavour, and also so you don't have to wait as long for it to cook. 

How To Make Berry Jam 

Ingredients
Serves: 2 (8-ounce) jars 

• 5 cups fresh berries (blueberries, blackberries, strawberries) 
• 2 1/2 cups of sugar 
• 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Pinch of salt 

 1. Cut the fruit you're using into even pieces and mash the fruit, sugar, lemon juice, and salt together with a potato masher to make sure they're combined. Remember, the amount of sugar you use should be in proportion to how much fruit you're using. 

2. Boil the fruit for 20 minutes over medium heat in a saucepan, stirring occasionally. Don't worry if your mixture starts off with big bubbles, as your jam gets closer to being finished, the big bubbles will turn into smaller, tighter bubbles. 

3. You'll be able to tell when your jam is done by dribbling some of it onto a spoon, waiting a few seconds and then running your finger through it. If your finger makes a clear path through the jam and it doesn't fill in, then you know your jam is perfectly set! Good job. 

4. When the jam is set to your liking, remove it from the heat and transfer it to your favourite set of preserve jars by Kilner! Cover the jars once you've placed your jam in there and allow them to cool completely before moving them into the fridge for long-term storage. 

Preserve It With Kilner 

Kilner has been manufacturing preserving jars and equipment since the 1840s. Today the trusted brand has lasted the test of time and has now grown to produce many kitchenware items that you most definitely need if you want to start preserving. 

Starting out with its high-quality preserve jars, Kilner products are some of the best in the market for producing homemade preserve which is exactly what you need! 

Strawberry Fruit Jar 400ml

Created from high-quality glass to resemble a strawberry (too cute), this jar is perfect for keeping your yummy homemade jam fresher for longer. Completely odour and stain-resistant, this jar features a 2-part lid system that creates an airtight seal and is dishwasher friendly.

Vintage Preserve Jar - 250ml

Great for food storage in the kitchen or for making and storing your own jams and preserves, the Kilner Vintage Preserve Jar - 250ml has a charming vintage design. The jars 250ml capacity is ideal for jams and preserve or for small amounts of pickled vegetables.