Nothing quite beats a good cup of tea and a hot slice of jam on toast. But the versatility of Jam expands way beyond a slice of buttered bread. Jam can be used in baking, it can be used to liven up a charcuterie board, it can even be used in cocktails! So why not save yourself a trip to to the supermarket and learn how to make plum jam at home?
When it comes to Jam, the strawberry and the raspberry always appear to rule the roost. But have you ever tried plum jam? Plums can be super juicy and are just as versatile as the popular berries you’ll usually find in a conserve. One of the top benefits of plum jam is that it is high in fibre, which is great for your digestive system! Read on to find out how to make plum jam at home.
How to select good plums
Before you learn how to make plum jam at home, you need to pick out good plums. Good plums have smooth skin with no cracks. Below are a few tips that can help you identify good plums before you buy them:
- Look for dark red plums
- Go for plums that have a powdery cast and are slightly soft around the stem and the tip. (When plums look like this, it means they haven’t been handled much).
How to peel plums
Plums have a thin and juicy skin that makes peeling a little bit tricky. The best technique for peeling your plums is to use hot and cold water. To do this you will need one bowl of ice-cold water and another bowl of boiling water. Make an X shape cut at the bottom of each plum to enable the water to loosen the skin. Blanch the plums by placing them in the boiled water for no longer than one minute.
Remove the plums from the boiled water using heat-safe tongs to avoid them becoming mushy. Then place them in the ice-cold water. Test to see if they are ready by patting one dry and trying to peel the skin from the X you sliced in the bottom, if it peels away easily, they are ready for peeling.
Once you’ve peeled all the plums, chop them up and remove the stones.
How to make plum jam at home
Wash your plums in cold water and cut them into halves then remove the stones.
- Slice the plums into small pieces and heat over medium heat.
- add lemon juice and sugar. Stir the mixture until the sugar dissolves.
- Reduce the heat once it boils and simmer until it becomes tender and soft.
- Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. The plums will turn dark when cooked and become thick.
To test if the jam is ready, put a small amount onto a cold plate and run a spoon through it. If the jam wrinkles then it is ready, but if it floods back, then it needs more time. Once ready, remove the jam from the heat and let it rest for 2 minutes. Pour the jam into clean containers to store and leave to cool.
How to make plum jam at home with less sugar
Use ripe plums that feel soft when touched. Slice the plums and remove the stones. Grate an apple and mix it in with the plums. Mix the prepared fruit with lemon juice, cinnamon and ginger in a pan and stir. Add water to prevent them from sticking to the pan. This concoction of flavours works great to compliment your baking as we approach the winter months!
Heat the ingredients while simmering for 30 minutes and stir occasionally until all the water evaporates. When the ingredients turn mushy, thick and glossy, remove them from the heat and let them cool for a few minutes.
How to get the stones out of a plum
To remove the stone from your plum you should start by finding the line that goes through the centre of the plum. Make a little indention and use a knife to cut through the plum. Make sure you don’t cut through the seed!
Twist the plum to separate it into two halves. Use a knife to remove the stone from the centre of the plum.
How to store plum jam
Plum jam can be refrigerated while tightly covered. This helps it to last longer and at the best quality.
If freezing – make sure you don’t fill the jam to the top because frozen jam expands!
Now you know how to make plum jam at home!
Now you know how to make plum jam at home – which won’t just be super tasty but will also be super-charged with loads of vitamins and fibre – Jamtastic stuff! Read our blog for similar posts and recipes!
