The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Food & crafts => Food processing => Topic started by: VSS on February 14, 2015, 03:56:15 pm

Title: Old fruit for jam?
Post by: VSS on February 14, 2015, 03:56:15 pm: Trying to empty a freezer so I can defrost it and found a quantity of old fruit in the bottom of it. It must have been there for at least three years - possible longer. Will it be any good for jam, given that jam making is not my strongest skill?
Title: Re: Old fruit for jam?
Post by: Louise Gaunt on February 14, 2015, 04:24:39 pm: It partly depends on the fruit. Currants usually have plenty of pectin so will set well. If you are worried about not setting either add lemon juice or buy a bottle of Certo, which is basically a mixture of pectin rich fruits you can add to aid setting. I would give it a go. I found damsons and red currants from 2013 yesterday, and will probably make them into jam. Let us know how it goes!
Title: Re: Old fruit for jam?
Post by: Mammyshaz on February 14, 2015, 05:37:50 pm: Either that or make wine. It is recommended to freeze and thaw high pectin fruits for wine. The effect breaks down the pectin so the wine doesn't cloud.
Title: Re: Old fruit for jam?
Post by: Bionic on February 15, 2015, 08:25:52 am: You have got me thinking. I have some old damsons in the freezer. Sounds like they might work for a nice chutney. God knows what else is at the bottom, of the freezer though ;D
Title: Re: Old fruit for jam?
Post by: FiB on February 15, 2015, 06:07:37 pm: I did some 2 year+ black currents this year- didn't set so have called it 'compote' :innocent: delicious though.
Title: Re: Old fruit for jam?
Post by: devonlady on February 16, 2015, 10:00:06 am: Fruit, even if frozen for a short time is difficult to set.
Title: Re: Old fruit for jam?
Post by: Bramblecot on February 18, 2015, 12:58:39 pm: Fruit chutney - just thickens, no need to set ;) :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Old fruit for jam?
Post by: xnbacon on February 22, 2015, 10:35:46 am: I usually add Bramleys to my fruit, frozen or otherwise when making jam and don't have a setting problem. Also adds bulk so more jam!
Title: Re: Old fruit for jam?
Post by: Kimbo on February 26, 2015, 06:27:59 pm: Im no expert so just asking here but you can buy pectin powder or liquid....will that not work to set previously frozen fruit?