Homemade Blackberry Jam Food

HOMEMADE BLACKBERRY JAM

Steps:

• Place the fresh berries and sugar in a bowl for a few hours (or overnight). During this time, the berries will macerate, and the sugar begins to dissolve - thus needing less time to cook before the sugar fully dissolves, allowing the berries to stay more in-tact.
• First, mash the blackberries and add with the lemon juice to the pan. Simmer for a few minutes to break the fruit down, and then press through a sieve or jelly bag into a bowl. Then simply place 2-3 spoonfuls of the seeds back into the jam or remove the seeds entirely for more of a blackberry jelly recipe (which uses the blackberry juice only).
• Start by very lightly mashing the blackberries in a bowl (or the pan) using a potato masher or similar tool.
• Then, in a medium heavy-based pan, add the sugar, blackberries, lemon juice, and pectin. Heat on low-medium heat, stirring constantly, to completely dissolve the sugar. This will eliminate the risk of grainy/sugar crystal formed jam later on.
• Bring the mixture to a boil (a rolling boil that can't be stirred down) at high heat for five minutes, without stirring. Use a spoon to make sure the jam isn't sticking to the bottom of the pan. If it is, then you can mix a couple of times and reduce the heat slightly.
• To check that the jam has reached setting point, either use a thermometer or the saucer test*. If using a thermometer, the temperature needs to be 105ºC/220ºF.
• Skim off any of the excess foam on top of the pan, for a clean jam. You can also add in a small amount of butter right at the end and stir to help disperse the rest of the foam/scum.
• Remove from heat and leave the jam to cool for 10-15 minutes. This will allow the berries to settle so that they don't sink to the bottom in the jars.
• Meanwhile, sterilize the jars you will be using for the jam and then place it in the oven for 10 minutes at 160ºC/325ºF to completely dry.
• Place the jar onto a wooden surface (or other heat proof surface) and transfer the jam to the jars. This process is easier with a canning funnel, but not necessary.Wipe away any spillage on the outside of the jar with a damp cloth and then seal the jars. Be careful not to touch the lip or inside the lid if you're hoping to properly 'can' your jam.
• If you plan to use the blackberry jam reasonably quickly and don't intend to properly 'can' it then It will last in the fridge for up to three weeks or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
• You can also use the hot water bath method (see notes below) if you want to properly store your jam for long-term storage. That way, your jam will last up to 2 years in a cool, dry, dark location.

SEEDLESS BLACKBERRY JAM

Steps:

• Prepare your jars, start your lids to simmering and bring your canning pot to a boil.
• In a large, non-reactive pot (stainless steel or enameled cast iron), combine the sugar and fruit pulp and bring to a simmer. Add cinnamon, nutmeg and lemon zest/juice and stir to combine.
• Let the mixture reach a boil, stirring frequently to prevent it from boiling over. When the mixture appears to be thickening a bit, add the pectin and bring it back to a roiling boil.
• Let it boil vigorously for at least five minutes to activate the pectin. Before removing from the heat, check the set using the plate or spoon test to ensure that the jam will firm up when cool.
• Fill your jars with the hot jam, wipe rims, apply lids and rings and process in a boiling water canner for ten minutes.
• Remove from canner and allow the jars to completely cool on a dishtowel-lined counter top.
• Once the jars are cool, check the seals, label them and eat jam on toast in January.

BLACKBERRY JAM

Steps:

• Clean, de-stem and crush blackberries.
• In a large stainless steal or enamel pot combine crushed berries and sugar.
• bring to a boil, stirring often until sugar is dissolved.
• Cook to jell point, stirring often.
• Remove from heat, skim off foam and ladle into clean hot jars.
• Leave 1/4 inch head space.
• Process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes at altitudes up to 1000 feet.

BLACKBERRY JAM

Steps:

• Mash blackberries in a saucepan with a potato masher. Stir in sugar until juices form; place about 1 tablespoon blackberry juice in a small bowl and stir in cornstarch. Pour cornstarch mixture into saucepan.
• Bring berries to a boil, stirring often, until jam is thickened, about 15 minutes. Stir in cinnamon and allspice. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Transfer jam to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate until chilled. Stir in lemon juice.

BLACKBERRY JAM

Steps:

• Place the berries in a large stainless steel or enamel saucepan. Bring to a full boil over high heat, mashing the berries with a potato masher as they cook. Add the lemon juice and boil hard for 1 minute, stirring and mashing constantly.
• Add the sugar and return the mixture to a boil. Cook, stirring constantly, until it begins to look syrupy and thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and test for doneness: a candy thermometer should register 220 degrees F and the mixture should coat the back of a spoon. Run a finger--or a clean object about the width of a finger--through the coat of jam. If the jam does not run and fill the gap, it is done. Otherwise, return the pan to the heat for another 1 to 2 minutes and test again. Be careful not to let the mixture get too thick--it will thicken as it cools.
• When the jam is done, transfer it to a heatproof jar and cool to room temperature, about 2 hours. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate. The jam will keep for up to 2 weeks.

SURE.JELL BLACKBERRY JAM

Steps:

• Bring boiling-water canner, half full with water, to simmer. Wash jars and screw bands in hot soapy water; rinse with warm water. Pour boiling water over flat lids in saucepan off the heat. Let stand in hot water until ready to use. Drain jars well before filling.
• Crush berries thoroughly, one layer at a time. (Press half the pulp through fine mesh strainer to remove some of the seeds, if desired.) Measure exactly 5 cups prepared fruit into 6- or 8-qt. saucepot.
• Stir pectin into prepared fruit in saucepot. Add butter to reduce foaming. Bring mixture to full rolling boil (a boil that doesn't stop bubbling when stirred) on high heat, stirring constantly. Add sugar; stir. Return to full rolling boil and boil exactly 1 min., stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim off any foam with metal spoon.
• Ladle quickly into prepared jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of tops. Wipe jar rims and threads. Cover with two-piece lids. Screw bands tightly. Place jars on elevated rack in canner. Lower rack into canner. (Water must cover jars by 1 to 2 inches. Add boiling water, if necessary.) Cover; bring water to gentle boil. Process 10 min. Remove jars and place upright on towel to cool completely. After jars cool, check seals by pressing middle of lids with finger. (If lids spring back, lids are not sealed and refrigeration is necessary.)

SMALL BATCH BLACKBERRY JAM

Steps:

• In a non-reactive pan, mash the blackberries with a potato masher. Add the sugar and heat the contents over medium heat, stirring gently, until the sugar is dissolved. Raise the heat to medium-high and boil the mixture until a drop mounds in a chilled dish (this took around 10 minutes for me).
• Pour the jam into a jar and cap the jar tightly. Store in refrigerator. This jam should keep for several weeks.

BLACKBERRY JAM

Steps:

• The night before you make your jam, layer the blackberries and sugar together in a very large bowl, then cover and set aside at room temperature. This helps the sugar to start dissolving so you don't run the risk of over-cooking the fruit when you actually begin to make the jam. The next morning, give everything a quick stir, then set aside again until you are ready to start cooking.
• Before you start, put a small saucer in the freezer. Take a preserving pan or a large, wide-based pan (the wider and more open the pan, the faster the jam will be ready, so a preserving pan is really ideal) and tip the berries in, scraping out all the juices and any undissolved sugar. Stir in the lemon juice, then collect all the pips and secure them inside a tea-leaf strainer or piece of muslin before adding them to the pan (cooking the pips along with the fruit extracts the pectin they contain, helping your jam to set).
• Start the blackberries over a low heat until all the sugar is completely dissolved, then bring to the boil and simmer for 5 mins. Turn off the heat and spoon a little hot syrupy jam onto the chilled saucer. Once it's cool, push it with your finger. If it wrinkles a little, it's ready and has reached setting point. If it's too runny to wrinkle, return the pan to the heat and boil in 2 or 3-minute stages, removing the pan from the heat each time you do the saucer check, until the jam wrinkles.
• Skim off any excess scum, then stir in the knob of butter, if you want - this will help to dissolve any remaining scum. Leave the jam for 15 mins before ladling into sterilised jars - this allows the fruit to settle so it doesn't sink to the bottom. The jam will keep in a cool, dark place for at least 6 months. Refrigerate jars once opened.

BLACKBERRY JAM

Steps:

• If you have hand picked your blackberries from the wild then first you will need to soak the fruit in salted water for a couple of hours. This cleans and destroys any bugs. After soaking rinse well in clean water.
• Prepare your jars: you will need a minimum of two empty jars with lids. Ensure they are clean. Warm in an oven on about 100 degrees C.
• Place your blackberries, sugar and lemon juice into a large saucepan and place on the hob on a low heat.
• Gently heat and fold the sugar into the blackberries until dissolved.
• Bring the fruit to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally and let the fruit simmer for about 10-12 minutes. A slight froth should start to appear as the fruit boils. (Do not feel tempted to increase the heat to boil quickly. The key is a gentle boil).
• Place a knob of butter on top of the fruit and stir across the top into the froth. The butter is used to break down the froth. If you still have excess then remove the frothy bubbles with a spoon. Remove saucepan from heat.
• Do the fridge test: place a small amount of jam on to a plate and place in the fridge. Leave for a few minutes and then remove. Tilt the plate and the jam should crinkle. If the jam is still runny then place back onto heat and boil gently for a further 2 minutes. Test again.
• You are now ready to place your mixture into your jars and place lids on. Allow to cool and then place in the fridge.
• Your jam is then ready to eat the following day.

SEEDLESS BLACKBERRY JAM

Steps:

• Place the blackberries in a blender and blend until they are all crushed. You may need to do this in two batches depending on the size of your blender.
• Strain the blackberry puree through a mesh strainer to remove the seeds - stir and press on the puree while it is in the strainer - you want to get as much puree as you can.
• Measure out the blackberry puree; you should have about 4 cups. If you don't have 4 cups add water to the puree until you have 4 cups.
• Place 3 small plates or saucers in the freezer.
• In a preserving pan, combine the blackberry puree, 1 cup of Green Apple Pectin Stock, 3 cups of sugar, and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice over medium heat, stirring gently until the sugar is completely dissolved.
• Raise the heat to medium-high and boil for 15 minutes.
• After 15 minutes of cooking, check the set (it may take up to 30 minutes of simmering over medium high heat for the jelly/jam to reach the set stage - it depends on what kind of pan you are using and how high of heat you are using).
• Use the cold plate test to check set: take the pot of jam off the heat (if you don't remove the jam from the heat while you check the set it could over-cook and become rubbery or hard, if the jam is indeed already set) .
• Place a drop of the jam mixture on one of the saucers you've kept in the freezer, & place the plate back in the freezer for 1 minute. After 1 minute, take the saucer out of the freezer and nudge the drop of jam with your finger. If it "wrinkles" when you nudge it with your finger it is done. If the jam is not set, continue cooking over medium-high heat, checking the set again every 5 minutes.
• When the jam is set, ladle the jam into canning jars, leaving 1/4" headspace. Wipe the rims of the jars with damp paper towels to remove any jam which got on the rims or the threads. Place the lids and the bands on the jars, just tightening the bands fingertip tight.
• Process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes, then remove and let sit, undisturbed, for at least 12 hours before checking seals. It is important to let them sit undisturbed for 12 hours because the sealing compound on the lids is still cooling and hardening, completing the seal. While the jars cool, you will hear a "plink" type sound from each jar - this is the jars completing the vacuum seal as the final air escapes the jar. After 12 hours have passed, remove the bands and check the lids - press down in the center of the lid. If you cannot push the lid down any further, the jar is sealed. If the lid "gives" a bit, and you can push it down, the jar did not seal. You can either put the band back on the jar, and reprocess it for another 10 minutes, or you can just put it in the fridge and use it within 3 months.