Description
Cottage mint jelly brings summer’s fresh garden essence to your table with delicate sweetness and herbal charm. Cool green elegance whispers classic British culinary tradition, promising delightful accompaniment you’ll savor alongside roasted meats and hearty dishes.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients:
- 3 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1 1/2 cups packed mint (leaves and stems)
- 2 1/4 cups boiling water
Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 3 fluid ounces liquid pectin
Optional Ingredient:
- 1 drop green food coloring
Instructions
- Gently muddle fresh mint leaves in a heavy-bottomed pot to release essential oils and aromatics.
- Pour boiling water over crushed mint, creating a fragrant infusion. Cover and let steep for 10 minutes to extract maximum flavor.
- Carefully strain the mint liquid through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing to extract all liquid. Discard the spent mint leaves.
- Return the strained mint infusion to the pot, then incorporate fresh mint leaves, vibrant lemon juice, and food coloring for enhanced visual appeal.
- Gradually whisk granulated sugar into the mint liquid, ensuring complete dissolution while heating the mixture to a rolling boil.
- Introduce pectin to the bubbling mixture, stirring vigorously and continuously for exactly 1 minute to activate gelling properties.
- Skim off any accumulated foam from the surface to ensure a clear, pristine jelly appearance.
- Carefully ladle the hot mint jelly into sterilized glass jars, leaving minimal headspace.
- Securely seal the jars, then process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes to ensure long-term preservation and safe storage.
- Allow jars to cool undisturbed at room temperature, creating a perfect seal and allowing the jelly to set completely.
- Store sealed jars in a cool, dark pantry, where the mint jelly will maintain its vibrant flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use fresh, organic mint leaves for the most vibrant and authentic flavor profile.
- Experiment with different mint varieties like spearmint or peppermint to create unique taste variations.
- Adjust sugar levels to control sweetness, making it suitable for diabetic-friendly or low-sugar diets.
- Enhance the jelly’s complexity by adding a small amount of fresh lemon zest during the cooking process.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 132
- Sugar: 33 g
- Sodium: 0 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg