The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Food & crafts => Food processing => Topic started by: sidlaw on July 04, 2015, 05:47:22 pm

Title: Jam sugar
Post by: sidlaw on July 04, 2015, 05:47:22 pm

I usually use normal sugar for making jam but this year i thought maybe i should try the special jam sugar you can buy.  Has anyone tried it and does it make a difference to the setting?

Title: Re: Jam sugar
Post by: Bionic on July 04, 2015, 05:55:17 pm

I've never tried it but wondered the same thing. I think my jam is pretty good as it is though so don't think I could warrant the extra expense unless someone said it would make it even better  ;D

Title: Re: Jam sugar
Post by: Backinwellies on July 04, 2015, 06:00:42 pm

I know my mum only used it for fruit which has less pectin in ............ otherwise ordinary sugar is fine.

Title: Re: Jam sugar
Post by: Carse Goodlifers on July 04, 2015, 06:53:53 pm

I tend to use it when I make jam.
I've never made jam with normal sugar so unfortunately I can't tell you if it makes a difference or not.
Aldi has jam making stuff (including jam sugar) as a special at the moment.  The jam sugar might be cheaper there than other shops.

I bought a set of jam spoons today when doing the shopping.

Title: Re: Jam sugar
Post by: Louise Gaunt on July 04, 2015, 07:20:05 pm

It is supposed to make clearer, and will help with setting low pecan fruits, e.g. Strawberries. If you are making jam for home consumtion at her than WI competition, I would use normal sugar and add some lemon juice if you are not sure about setting.

Title: Re: Jam sugar
Post by: devonlady on July 05, 2015, 09:41:58 am

What are jam spoons?

Title: Re: Jam sugar
Post by: henchard on July 05, 2015, 11:48:56 am

It has pectin in it so helps setting with fruits that don't have much pectin.

When making marmalade that needs 2kg of sugar I use 1kg of Jam sugar and 1kg normal sugar and find that it just helps setting particularly when I have frozen the sevill oranges to use later in the year.

Title: Re: Jam sugar
Post by: Carse Goodlifers on July 05, 2015, 08:26:22 pm

Quote from: devonlady on July 05, 2015, 09:41:58 am

What are jam spoons?

See http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51AepLEeTDL._SX300_.jpg (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51AepLEeTDL._SX300_.jpg)
They hang on the side of the jar so they don't get all sticky.
Effectively its a long handled spoon with a kink in it.

Title: Re: Jam sugar
Post by: sidlaw on July 05, 2015, 09:07:20 pm

Thanks everyone, i think i will save the money and use normal sugar this time then as i was going to use some apples that are spare and i think they are quite high in pectin.  I
was wondering what the jam spoons looked like too, seem like a good idea.

Title: Re: Jam sugar
Post by: sabrina on July 09, 2015, 11:33:33 am

I never use anything else.

Title: Re: Jam sugar
Post by: fiestyredhead331 on July 12, 2015, 12:33:31 pm

apple is loaded with pectin so ideal for putting in with strawberries or rasps which are low in pectin. I never use jam sugar, just every day granulated sugar.
One handy tip I got from another jam maker was to leave the tails on my blackcurrants as it helps with setting  :thumbsup: