Quick answer
How do I make jam properly?
Cook the fruit with sugar (or setting sugar) until soft and thickened, fill the hot jam into sterilized jars, and turn them upside down. The recipes give ratios and times.
Jams & Marmalades
Homemade jam tastes like summer in a jar — and you'll know it on the first spoonful. Find recipes for jams, marmalades, fruit butters, and jellies from strawberries, apricots, plums, and citrus. Simple, not too sweet, and for the whole year.
Best recipes
Frequently asked questions
How much sugar goes in jam?
It depends on the fruit and taste — less sugar means fresher flavor but shorter shelf life. Setting sugar or pectin helps.
What if my jam didn't set?
Boil it again for a few minutes with a little pectin or setting sugar and a squeeze of lemon. Test the set with a drop on a chilled plate.
What's the difference between jam and marmalade?
Officially, marmalade can only be made from citrus — everything else is jam. In your own kitchen it doesn't matter; strawberry "marmalade" is fair game.
How long does homemade jam keep?
Properly preserved and kept cool and dark, it easily lasts a year. Once opened, refrigerate and use within a few weeks.