The Secret to Sweet & Tangy Blackcurrant Jam Recipe

Crafting a homemade blackcurrant jam brings pure culinary magic into your kitchen.

Sweet berries burst with intense flavor when slowly simmered.

Summer gardens often produce abundant blackcurrant harvests perfect for preserving.

Passionate home cooks understand these deep purple gems create spectacular spreads.

Delicate and tart, blackcurrants transform simple ingredients into extraordinary morning delights.

Each spoonful promises rich, concentrated fruit essence that dances across toast.

Venture into this delightful preserve-making adventure and savor every delicious moment.

Why Mary Berry Blackcurrant Jam Recipe Is A Favorite

• Crush Fruit Flavor: Gently mashing blackcurrants releases intense, rich flavors that create a deep, complex jam bursting with natural sweetness.
• Master Preserving Skills: This recipe introduces home cooks to simple jam-making techniques, helping them confidently create delicious homemade preserves with minimal kitchen equipment.
• Versatile Spread Delight: Perfect for breakfast toast, baking, gifting, or adding to desserts, this blackcurrant jam brings gourmet flavor to multiple culinary adventures.
• Healthy Homemade Choice: Using fresh blackcurrants and controlling sugar levels allows you to craft a natural preserve packed with vitamins and antioxidants, avoiding store-bought additives.

Mary Berry Blackcurrant Jam Recipe Ingredients

• Blackcurrants: Fresh, ripe berries that provide the rich, deep flavor and natural pectin for the jam.
• Sugar: Essential for sweetening and helping the jam set and preserve properly.
• Lemon Juice: Adds brightness and helps with the jam's natural preservation.

• Deep Pan: Used for cooking and combining ingredients evenly.
• Sterilised Jars: Clean containers that ensure the jam remains safe and fresh for storage.

• Pectin, Butter: Optional ingredients that can help with jam setting and reducing foam, if desired.

How To Prepare Mary Berry Blackcurrant Jam Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Fruity Base

Toss fresh blackcurrants into a spacious, heavy-bottomed pot. Sprinkle granulated sugar over the berries and squeeze in bright, zesty lemon juice. The combination will create a magical sweet-tart foundation for your homemade preserve.

Step 2: Melt and Blend

Place the pot on low heat, allowing ingredients to slowly mingle. Gently stir until sugar completely dissolves, transforming the mixture into a glossy, liquid delight. Use a potato masher to softly crush some berries, releasing their intense flavor and deep purple color.

Step 3: Bring to Bubbling Excitement

Gradually increase heat, stirring frequently to prevent sticking. Watch as the mixture transitions from gentle simmering to enthusiastic boiling. The kitchen will fill with an intoxicating fruity aroma that hints at the deliciousness to come.

Step 4: Reach Perfect Jam Consistency

Continue boiling, keeping a close eye on the temperature. You’ll want to hit the magical setting point around 220°F for sea level kitchens. If you’re cooking at higher altitudes, aim for 210°F. This process typically takes about 8 minutes of dedicated stirring and watching.

Step 5: Transfer to Waiting Jars

Carefully remove the pot from heat. Using a sterilized ladle, pour the molten jam into clean glass jars. Leave a small space at the top to allow for any final expansion during cooling.

Step 6: Cool and Seal

Let the jars sit uncovered at room temperature. As they cool, the jam will naturally thicken and develop its final luscious texture. Once completely cooled, securely seal the lids, creating a perfect preserve to enjoy for weeks to come.

Tips To Nail Mary Berry Blackcurrant Jam Recipe

• Crush Gently: Use a potato masher or wooden spoon to break down blackcurrants without completely destroying their texture, preserving some fruit chunks for a rustic jam.
• Check Pectin Levels: Blackcurrants are naturally high in pectin, so they'll set quickly without additional pectin, making this jam perfect for beginners.
• Sterilize Smartly: Wash jars in hot, soapy water or run through dishwasher, then heat in oven at 275°F for 10 minutes to ensure bacteria-free preservation.
• Altitude Adjustment: If cooking at higher elevations, lower the setting temperature to 210°F to compensate for decreased boiling point and prevent overcooking.

Tasty Variations Of Mary Berry Blackcurrant Jam Recipe

• Berry Blend Jam: Swap blackcurrants with a mix of raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries for a colorful, multi-berry spread.
• Spiced Currant Preserve: Add cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hint of vanilla to create a warming, aromatic jam with deeper flavor complexity.
• Low-Sugar Version: Reduce sugar by half and use pectin or chia seeds to help thicken the jam, making it more diabetic-friendly.
• Herbal Infusion Jam: Steep fresh mint or lavender during cooking to introduce a subtle herbal note to the traditional blackcurrant recipe.

What To Pair With Mary Berry Blackcurrant Jam Recipe

• Pair Perfectly with Warm Scones: Spread the blackcurrant jam generously on freshly baked, buttery scones for a delightful British-inspired breakfast or afternoon tea experience.
• Complement with Creamy Cheese: Serve alongside a soft, mild goat cheese or brie to balance the jam's intense tartness and create a sophisticated appetizer or cheese board addition.
• Match with Robust Red Wine: Select a full-bodied red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah to echo the deep, rich flavors of the blackcurrant jam during an elegant dessert pairing.
• Enhance Morning Toast: Layer the jam on thick slices of artisan sourdough or whole grain bread for a vibrant, fruity breakfast that awakens your taste buds with complex, tangy notes.

Storage Guide For Mary Berry Blackcurrant Jam Recipe

• Store sealed jam jars in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. Keep away from direct light and temperature fluctuations to maintain freshness.
• Transfer jam to freezer-safe containers, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Freeze for 6-12 months. Thaw in refrigerator overnight before using.
• If using sterilized canning jars with proper sealing, store unopened jam in a cool, dark pantry for up to 1 year. Once opened, refrigerate immediately.
• Gently warm small portions in microwave for 10-15 seconds or place jar in warm water bath. Stir carefully to restore smooth consistency. Never boil reheated jam.

Questions About Mary Berry Blackcurrant Jam Recipe

• What are blackcurrants?

Blackcurrants are small, dark purple berries native to Europe with a tart and slightly tangy flavor, packed with vitamin C and antioxidants.

• How do I know when the jam is ready?

The jam is ready when it reaches 220°F on a candy thermometer or when a small amount placed on a cold plate wrinkles when pushed with your finger.

• Can I reduce the sugar in this recipe?

Sugar is crucial for preservation and setting, but you can reduce it slightly to 3/4 the original amount without compromising the jam’s texture and safety.

• Why use lemon juice in the recipe?

Lemon juice helps activate pectin, which helps the jam set properly, and adds a bright flavor that complements the blackcurrants’ natural tartness.

Blackcurrant Jam Recipe

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4.7 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 13 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sweet summer memories bloom in this homemade Blackcurrant Jam, capturing the essence of ripe berries from French countryside gardens. Local ingredients and simple techniques create a preserve rich with deep purple intensity you’ll savor on warm toast or delicate pastries.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 4 cups (960 milliliters) blackcurrants
• 1.5 cups (300 grams) white sugar

Additional Flavoring:

• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) lemon juice

Processing Ingredient:

• No additional processing ingredients

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Instructions

1. In a spacious saucepan, merge fresh blackcurrants with granulated sugar and zesty lemon juice, positioning over gentle heat.
2. Gently agitate the mixture, ensuring sugar completely melts and integrates with the fruit, using a wooden spoon to softly crush currants.
3. Gradually elevate the temperature, allowing the concoction to transition into a vigorous rolling boil while continuously stirring to prevent scorching.
4. Monitor the temperature precisely, maintaining a consistent boil until the mixture reaches the critical 220°F jam setting point, approximately 8-10 minutes.
5. Carefully extract the saucepan from the heat source, swiftly transferring the molten jam into thoroughly sanitized glass preserving vessels.
6. Allow the jam to rest and stabilize at ambient temperature, leaving containers unsealed initially to release residual steam and prevent condensation.
7. Once the jam has cooled completely and reached room temperature, securely seal the jars with sterilized lids, preparing them for storage or immediate consumption.

Notes

• Check currant ripeness by choosing plump, deep purple berries for maximum flavor intensity.
• Adjust sugar quantities based on fruit’s natural sweetness; start with less and taste progressively.
• Use wooden spoon for gentle mashing to preserve fruit texture and prevent burning at pan bottom.
• Consider adding pectin if jam doesn’t thicken naturally, especially with low-pectin fruit varieties.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 193
• Sugar: 47 g
• Sodium: 1 mg
• Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 0.5 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg