Homemade Black Currant Jam (Printable)

A vibrant tangy-sweet preserve made with ripe blackcurrants, sugar, and fresh lemon juice.

# What You Need:

→ Fruit

01 - 2.2 lb fresh blackcurrants, cleaned and stems removed

→ Sweetener

02 - 2 lb granulated sugar

→ Acid

03 - 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

# Directions:

01 - Place a small plate in the freezer to use later for testing jam set.
02 - In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine blackcurrants and lemon juice. Gently crush some berries with a potato masher to release their juices.
03 - Add sugar and stir to combine. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes to draw out additional juices from the fruit.
04 - Place the saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely.
05 - Increase heat to high and bring the mixture to a rapid boil. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
06 - Boil vigorously for 10 to 15 minutes, skimming off any foam that rises to the surface. Test the setting point by placing a drop of jam on the chilled plate, waiting 1 minute, then gently pushing with your finger—if it wrinkles, the jam has reached the proper consistency.
07 - Remove from heat and let the jam sit for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to distribute fruit solids evenly throughout.
08 - Ladle hot jam into sterilized jars, leaving approximately 0.2 inches of headspace. Seal jars immediately.
09 - Allow jars to cool at room temperature. Label with the preparation date and store in a cool, dark place.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Simple & Natural: Made with just three ingredients—fruit, sugar, and lemon juice—with no artificial additives.
  • Versatile Diet: Naturally vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free, making it suitable for almost everyone.
  • Perfect Balance: The natural tartness of blackcurrants provides a sophisticated contrast to the sugar.
02 -
  • Setting Test: The chilled plate test is the most reliable way to check for a perfect set; look for a clear wrinkle when the jam is pushed.
  • Skim the Surface: Use a spoon to skim off any foam that rises to the top during boiling to ensure a crystal-clear, jewel-toned jam.
  • Headspace: Leaving exactly 0.5 cm of headspace in the jars helps create a proper vacuum seal as the jam cools.
Return