Homemade Strawberry Jam: Bursting with Sweet Flavor, Perfect Consistency Guide
DIY Strawberry Jam: Easy Homemade Recipe with Tips on Achieving the Perfect Jam Consistency
My son, Hodool, has a peculiar preference for only strawberry jam. No matter how many different flavors I offer, he insists on strawberry jam. Because of this, I always end up stocking up on strawberry jam. One day, I bought strawberries but forgot about them until they started to look wilted, which prompted me to decide to make homemade strawberry jam. When you make your own strawberry jam, you have the advantage of controlling the size of the fruit pieces and the sweetness level, making it much better than store-bought options. With just a little time and effort, you can easily whip up your own custom jam. Let’s get started on making delicious homemade strawberry jam and mastering the art of getting the perfect jam consistency!
Ingredients
- 1 pack Fresh Strawberries (approx. 300-400g)
- 2 cups Granulated Sugar (approx. 300-400g, adjust to taste)
- 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice (Tbsp)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, carefully remove the stems from the fresh strawberries and rinse them thoroughly under running water. It’s crucial to drain the strawberries completely after washing. Any remaining moisture can make the jam too watery.
Step 2
Place the drained strawberries into a pot. Now it’s time to mash them. Use a fork or a potato masher to crush the strawberries to your desired chunkiness. It’s okay to leave some larger pieces, and you can also mash them as they cook.
Step 3
The amount of sugar should be roughly equal to the weight of the strawberries. For Hodool’s jam, I used about 2 cups of sugar (approximately 300-400g) for one pack of strawberries (around 300-400g). If you use too little sugar, the jam won’t set properly, so using between 80% and 100% of the strawberry’s weight in sugar is recommended for achieving the right consistency.
Step 4
Add the strawberries and sugar to the pot and stir well with a spatula until evenly combined. Make sure the sugar coats the strawberries nicely. Then, set the heat to medium and bring it to a boil.
Step 5
Once the strawberry jam starts to boil, it can quickly overflow, so keep a close eye on it and be mindful of the heat. Watch the bubbles forming around the edges of the pot.
Step 6
If you prefer a clearer jam, skim off the foam that rises to the surface as it boils. This is an optional step but helps refine the flavor and appearance.
Step 7
Removing the foam results in a jam with a cleaner flavor and a more vibrant, appealing color, free from any unwanted impurities.
Step 8
As the strawberries cook and soften, use your mashing tool to break them down further into your preferred size of fruit pieces while continuing to cook. This process of mashing and boiling helps to naturally evaporate the moisture from the strawberries.
Step 9
Once you feel the strawberries are sufficiently cooked and tender, reduce the heat to low. From this point on, you’ll be slowly simmering the jam over low heat.
Step 10
Stir the jam frequently as it simmers over low heat. You’ll notice the jam gradually thickening and becoming more jam-like.
Step 11
A good way to check the jam’s consistency is to dip your spatula into the jam and lift it out. If the jam doesn’t run off like water but slowly drizzles off the spatula, it’s reached the right consistency.
Step 12
Finally, add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice for a touch of brightness and to help preserve the jam. Give it one more quick boil. The lemon juice balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
Step 13
Ultimately, when the jam drips slowly and steadily like ‘drip, drip’ from the spatula, it’s ready to be taken off the heat. Avoid over-thickening, as the jam will continue to firm up as it cools. It’s best to finish when it feels slightly thinner than you desire.
Step 14
Remember that strawberry jam will thicken considerably once it cools and is refrigerated. Therefore, aiming for a slightly looser consistency than you think you need at this stage will result in the perfect jam after chilling.
Step 15
Once the homemade strawberry jam has cooled slightly, give it a good stir with a spatula for a glossy, delicious finish. Your jam is ready!
Step 16
Carefully ladle the warm jam into sterilized glass jars. Ensure the jars are completely dry after sterilization. Sealing them properly will help it last longer.
Step 17
Simply spreading this delicious homemade strawberry jam on freshly toasted bread is enough to bring immense joy to your taste buds.
Step 18
Of course, this homemade jam will also add a wonderful flavor dimension to breakfast sandwiches, complete with eggs and ham!
Step 19
And that’s how you make homemade strawberry jam, a delightful addition that can be the star of your family’s breakfast table. Enjoy your delicious creation!
