Easy Steps to Make Delicious Plum Jelly

If you’re looking for a sweet and tangy spread, plum jelly is your answer. Making it may seem intimidating, but it’s actually quite simple. In this article, we’ll show you how to make plum jelly in relaxed English language so that anyone can follow along.

Firstly, you’ll need to gather some ripe plums. The riper they are, the better the taste. You’ll also need sugar, pectin, lemon juice, and jars for the jelly. Once you have all the ingredients, you’ll start by boiling the plums until they are soft. After that, you’ll strain them through a jelly bag or cheesecloth, making sure to extract all the juice. The juice is then combined with the sugar and pectin and boiled for a few minutes. Finally, you’ll pour the hot jelly into the jars and let them cool to set. Enjoy your homemade plum jelly on toast, muffins, or anything else you desire!

Climate change and global warming are pushing many farmers to switch from high water-consuming crops to water-efficient ones. That’s why plum farming is increasingly becoming popular. With plums, you not only get healthy and delicious fruit, but also tiny and nutrient-rich seeds that add texture and flavor to your jelly.

Making a plum jelly is easy, and this article will guide you on how to make it at home with your favorite spices and minimal preservatives. Here are some helpful tips:

Choosing the right Plums

Not all plums are the same, and not all are ideal for making jelly. For instance, Italian prune plums make some of the best jellies. They are small, with dark blue or purple skin, yellow-green flesh, and have a sweet-tart flavor. You can also use Californian plums, which are large and sweet, or damson plums, which are small, oval, and dark purple. Avoid using underripe or overripe plums as they might affect the taste and texture of the jelly.

Preparation

Before starting, ensure that your tools are clean and your ingredients are fresh. Wash the plums with clean water, cut them into halves, and remove the pits. Place the halved plums in a large pot, add water, and bring them to boil over medium-high heat.

Simmering the Plums and Spices

Once the plums come to a boil, reduce the heat and add your desired spices, such as ginger, cinnamon, or cardamom. Allow the mixture to simmer on low heat for about thirty minutes or until the plums are soft and tender. Stir occasionally to prevent burning, and taste the mixture occasionally to adjust the flavor of the jelly.

Straining the Mixture

After simmering, you will have a pot of juicy plum mixture. Using a sieve and a spoon, strain the mixture into a bowl, removing any seeds and pulp until you get a smooth liquid. You may also use cheesecloth to strain the mixture and extract every drop of juice.

Additions

At this point, you may add some sugar or honey to the strained mixture to sweeten the jelly. This is the perfect time to add any pectin or citric acid if you prefer. Pectin is a gelling agent that helps the jelly to thicken, while citric acid adds tangy flavor and helps in preserving the jelly.

Cooking the Mixture

Transfer the strained juice into a clean pot and bring it to boil over medium-high heat. Cook for about fifteen minutes or until the jelly is thickened. Stir frequently to prevent burning, and adjust the flavor by adding more sugar or citric acid if needed.

Filling the Jars

Once the jelly is thickened, remove it from the heat and allow it to cool for a few minutes. Using a funnel, pour the jelly into clean, sterilized jars, and tightly screw their lids. You may also add some labels to the jars, indicating the date of production, flavors, and any other relevant information.

Storage

Plum jelly can last for several months when stored in a cool dry place. Therefore, it’s advisable to store the jars in a pantry or any other cool and dark place. Once opened, the jelly should be refrigerated and consumed within a week.

Conclusion

Making plum jelly is a fun and enjoyable activity that can be done at home using readily available ingredients. With the above tips, you can make delicious and nutritious plum jelly that can be enjoyed by your family and friends. Remember to be creative and experiment with different spices and flavors until you find your perfect plum jelly recipe.

Section 2: The Ingredients You Need to Make Plum Jelly

1. Choosing the Right Plums

Plums come in different varieties, and choosing the right one is important in making great plum jelly. The ideal plums should be ripe, with sweet and juicy flesh. You can use any type of plum, but the more acidic ones like Damson plums, are easier to work with since they have more natural pectin which will help the jelly set. You can either pick them yourself or find them at local farmer’s markets or grocery stores.

2. Pectin and its Role

When making jelly, it’s crucial to use pectin. Pectin is a natural substance found in the cell walls of plants. It acts as a thickening agent and it is what gives jelly its gel-like consistency. Some fruits have more natural pectin than others, like apples, lemons, berries, and plums. Adding commercial pectin is alright, but natural pectin yields more flavorful and healthier jelly.

3. Sugar is Crucial

Sugar is a key ingredient in making plum jelly because it adds sweetness, enhances flavor, preserves the jelly, and helps it set. It’s recommended to add ¾ cup of sugar for every cup of cooked plum juice. The sugar to fruit ratio can be adjusted to personal taste preference.

4. Limes and Lemons Add Tanginess

Adding lime or lemon juice is excellent for boosting the tartness of plum jelly. This helps to balance the sweetness of the jelly and give it a bit of zing. The recommended juice amount is a tablespoon of lime or lemon juice for every three cups of cooked plum mixture.

5. Utensils Needed for Plum Jelly Making

Some basic kitchen tools you may need include a large pot, a food mill or a strainer, bowls, a wooden spoon, a ladle, a thermometer, and sterilized canning jars food safe jars.

6. Sterilizing the Jars

It’s important to sterilize the jars you’ll be using when you’re making jelly. To sterilize the jars, wash them with soap and hot water, then place them in a pot of boiling water for 10 minutes. Remove and let air dry.

7. Making Plum Juice

To make plum juice, wash the plums, remove seed, chop and cook them with some water until they’re soft. Strain the cooked plums through a food mill, or a strainer, collecting the juice into a bowl. Discard any solid particles left in the strainer.

8. Cooking the Plum Jelly

After the juice is ready, pour it into a large pot. Add the sugar, lime or lemon juice, and if desired, pectin. Bring the mixture to a boil and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens and reaches gel point, about 15 minutes. To test the jelly for its setting point, use a thermometer or plate test.

9. Ladling and Canning the Plum Jelly

After the jelly is ready, remove the pot from heat and ladle the hot jelly into the sterilized jars, leaving a bit of space at the top to prevent molding. Wipe the rims with a clean cloth, put on the lids, and process the jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.

10. Storing and Serving Plum Jelly

Once the jars have been processed in boiling water, allow them to cool and check that the seals are tight. Label and store the jars in a cool, dark, dry place for about a year. You can store unopened jars in the pantry, but once the jar is open, it should be refrigerated and used within a week. Plum jelly can be served with bread, toast and crackers for breakfast and snacks. It also pairs well with goat cheese, brie cheese, and crackers for a savory snack or appetizer. Enjoy!

Types of Plum Jelly Recipes

If you’re looking for different ways of making plum jelly, then we’ve got you covered! Here are five unique recipes you can try to make the perfect plum jelly:

1. Classic Plum Jelly Recipe

The classic plum jelly recipe is the easiest and the most popular recipe as it requires the least amount of ingredients. To make this recipe, you just require plums, water, sugar, and pectin. Here’s how you can make it:

Directions:

1. Wash the plums and remove the seeds. Chop them into small pieces and place them in a large pot.
2. Add water to the pot and let it simmer for 20 minutes.
3. Add sugar and stir until dissolved. Cook the mixture for another 10 minutes.
4. Add pectin and stir it well. Cook for another 10 minutes until the mixture thickens.
5. Pour the mixture into sterilized jars and let it cool for a few hours.
6. Refrigerate the jars and serve the plum jelly with toast, biscuits, or scones.

2. Spiced Plum Jelly Recipe

If you want to add some warmth and flavor to your plum jelly, then give this spiced plum jelly recipe a try:

Directions:

1. Wash and chop the plums into small pieces. Add them to a large pot with water, cinnamon sticks, and whole cloves.
2. Simmer the mixture for 30 minutes and strain it through a cheesecloth or strainer.
3. Add sugar, lemon juice, and pectin to the plum juice. Boil the mixture until it thickens.
4. Pour the jelly into sterilized jars and let it cool for a few hours.
5. Refrigerate the jars and serve the plum jelly with bread, muffins, or pancakes.

3. Spiced Plum and Ginger Jelly Recipe

If you love ginger, then you’re going to enjoy this plum and ginger jelly recipe:

Directions:

1. Wash and chop the plums into small pieces. Add them to a large pot with water, fresh ginger, and lemon juice.
2. Simmer the mixture for 30 minutes and strain it through a cheesecloth or strainer.
3. Add sugar and pectin to the plum juice. Boil the mixture until it thickens.
4. Pour the jelly into sterilized jars and let it cool for a few hours.
5. Refrigerate the jars and serve the plum and ginger jelly with crackers, cheese, or roasted meats.

4. Rosemary Plum Jelly Recipe

If you want to add an earthy and aromatic flavor to your plum jelly, then try this rosemary plum jelly recipe:

Directions:

1. Wash and chop the plums into small pieces. Add them to a large pot with water, fresh rosemary, and lemon juice.
2. Simmer the mixture for 30 minutes and strain it through a cheesecloth or strainer.
3. Add sugar and pectin to the plum juice. Boil the mixture until it thickens.
4. Pour the jelly into sterilized jars and let it cool for a few hours.
5. Refrigerate the jars and serve the rosemary plum jelly with roasted poultry, duck, or pork.

5. Apple and Plum Jelly Recipe

If you want to experiment with different fruits, then try this apple and plum jelly recipe:

Directions:

1. Wash and chop the plums and apples into small pieces. Add them to a large pot with water and lemon juice.
2. Simmer the mixture for 30 minutes and strain it through a cheesecloth or strainer.
3. Add sugar and pectin to the plum and apple juice. Boil the mixture until it thickens.
4. Pour the jelly into sterilized jars and let it cool for a few hours.
5. Refrigerate the jars and serve the apple and plum jelly with yogurt, granola, or ice cream.

Try out these different recipes this plum season and create your perfect spreadable plum jelly that suits your taste buds!

Happy Plum Jelly Making!

That’s it folks, now you know how to make delicious, mouth-watering plum jelly in just a few easy steps. We hope that you found this article helpful and that it inspires you to get into the kitchen and start cooking. Remember to always use fresh ingredients, take your time, and have fun! Thank you for taking the time to read our article, and we hope to see you again soon for more exciting recipes. Until then, happy cooking!