It’s time to… pump up the jam! Jam, jelly, fruit preserve. There are many variations but they’re essentially the same thing: sugar and fruit. Made out of delicious, sweet and acidy berries and can be combined with anything. This homemade strawberry jam is easy to whip up and impressive.
Homemade strawberry jam
Jam is really easy to make and it is also a good way to keep berries if you have a tendency of throwing out the last of the batch. This way the berries will stay good for 14 days and you’ll have delicious flavoured toast for days to come – everyone wins!
Jam or marmalade?
Similar to jam is Paddington Bear’s favourite snack – marmalade! But what is the difference? There isn’t much – jam is made from berries and the whole fruit where as marmalade focuses on the rind or made from stone fruits. It makes it slightly more bitter but a really tasty treat.
What should I pair with my homemade strawberry jam?
There really is a limitless amount of things that can go with strawberry jam. For my British readers, I’m certain your mind went straight to scones. Nothing enhances a cup of tea like scones with jam and cream – the only debate? Which goes on first! The jam or the cream?
For my US-based readers – peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are a staple. The savoury, salty peanut butter is matched with the sweet and acidic jam – or jelly.
Or, of course – the classic sponge cake!
Making the jam
It’s easy to make! All you need is caster sugar, lemon juice (which is optional) and fresh berries. In this recipe I focus on strawberries because they’re really juicy and in season right now. However, jam can be made with blueberries, raspberries, blackberries or even apricot and peaches. You take your pick!
The best thing about Homemade strawberry jam is that you can bottle it up and give it as gifts – the perfect homemade present.
If you have any questions or would like to leave a review, please do so here! I always love answering your food and recipe related questions and hearing your feedback on my recipes.
Images by Alanna Penna Photography.
Homemade strawberry jam
Ingredients
- 500 g strawberries sliced
- 3/4 cup caster sugar
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- zest from one lemon
Instructions
- Place the strawberries into a saucepan and cover with the sugar, lemon juice and zest. Massage the sugar and juices into the strawberries with your hands and leave to sit for 1 hour or until as much as the natural juices have been released. This is macerating.
- Place the saucepan on a medium heat and bring to the simmer. Leave to cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally or until the jam is at a consistency you like. If you like your jam smooth, use a potato masher to mash up the strawberries.
- Store the jam in a sterilised jar and keep in the fridge for up to 14 days.
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