DIY Guide for Preparing Plum Jam at Home
In late summer, as the days grow shorter and the air cools, there's a significant event that takes place in the kitchen of many home cooks: the making of plum jam. This year, we're sharing a delightful recipe for Plum Jam with Cinnamon, a creation by Jane Hornby from Good Food.
Ingredients - 2 kg plums, stoned and roughly chopped - 2 kg white granulated sugar - 2 tsp ground cinnamon - 1 tbsp lemon juice - 3 cinnamon sticks (optional, for extra aroma)
Method
- Stone and roughly chop the plums, and add them to a large preserving pan along with sugar, lemon juice, and cinnamon (ground and sticks if used).
- Cook the mixture over medium-high heat until it begins to boil and foam.
- Reduce heat and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the jam thickens and the fruit breaks down, about 30-45 minutes.
- Remove the cinnamon sticks once the jam is cooked.
- To test if the jam sets, drop a small amount on a cold plate—if it wrinkles when pushed, it is ready.
- Pour the hot jam into sterilized jars, seal, and store in a cool, dark place. Refrigerate after opening.
A knob of butter is added to the jam at the end of the cooking process, which not only enhances the flavour but also helps prevent the jam from foaming excessively.
This Plum Jam with Cinnamon recipe is perfect for those plum varieties like Victoria, greengages, and mirabelles, and even a small plum harvest can be turned into a delightful jar or two of jam. High pectin levels in plums help the jam set, and the addition of lemon juice aids in this process.
Opening a jar of this plum jam in winter reminds the author of summer days picking plums, a nostalgic reminder of the warm, sunny days gone by. This jam is suggested to be served with hot, buttered crumpets or homemade bread, making it a perfect addition to any winter breakfast or afternoon tea.
[1] Good Food Plum Jam Recipe: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/plum-jam [3] Plum Jam Recipe with Cinnamon: https://www.taste.com.au/recipes/plum-jam-with-cinnamon/tast-s-best-plum-jam-recipe [5] The Best Plum Jam Recipe Ever: https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a29303393/plum-jam-recipe/
