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To prepare a delicious and nutritious jam, first select the berries that have not lost their useful properties. According to Vilma Juodkazienė, a food expert at the Iki retail chain, they should be very ripe, a little darker in color, but have not started to deteriorate yet.
“Ripe berries contain a special carbohydrate: pectin, which acts as a natural thickener. This material makes it possible to make a jam that resembles the consistency of jam. Black and red currants, plums, currants and raspberries have lots of pectins, ”says the food expert.
Choose natural sweeteners
It is common for many to cook jams with sugar, but to make them healthier, a food expert advises using natural sweeteners.
Although the berries are rich in vitamins and other beneficial substances, these properties often interfere with the enjoyment of the high sugar content. Instead of making jam, choose natural sweeteners: honey or dates. These substances will not only add a lot of sweetness, but will enrich the jam with exceptional flavors and aromas ”, shares V. Juodkazienė.
When cooking without sugar, which not only adds sweetness but also acts as a preservative, carefully clean the container. The food expert emphasizes that it is necessary to ensure extremely clean and airtight containers for naturally sweet jam, otherwise the jam will quickly spoil.
Don’t hold on for long
After making the jam, it is better to put it in the refrigerator without waiting for anything, take it to the basement or another cool room. However, keep in mind that even under the most ideal conditions, the jam is considered to be time-limited.
“Although they are invisible to the naked eye, several processes take place inside the jam. If it is stored for too long, the jam begins to peel, the sugar begins to crystallize and, most importantly, the vitamins in the berries die. In addition, the taste and pleasant aroma of the jam gradually change. Rather, prepare as many jams as you can whip and cook more next year, ”V. Juodkazienė shares his advice in the press release.
The food expert recommends consuming the prepared jam within 10 months.
Cherry jam without sugar
Will need: 1 kg of cherries; 1 liter of honey; 250 ml of water.
preparation:
Remove the cherry pits. Put honey in the pot and pour it with water. Heat over medium heat and stir until honey dissolves. When the honey has dissolved, add the cherries. Cook until they begin to rise to the surface. Pour the resulting jam into airtight containers and allow to cool. Store in a refrigerator or cold room.
Plum jam with dates
Will need: 1.5 kg of blue plums; 300 g of dates; 100 ml of water; 1 a. š. cinnamon.
preparation:
Remove the plum pits and chop finely. Also finely chop the dates and place everything in a pot. Pour water over the top, season with cinnamon, cover the pot and heat over medium heat. When it boils, reduce the heat to a minimum and cook for about 30 minutes. Then open the pot and cook for another hour until the jam thickens well. Stir gently constantly. Pour the resulting jam into airtight containers and allow to cool.
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