Tag: Homemade jam

Did you know citrus peels, a byproduct of juice production, contain up to 30% pectin by dry weight, making them one of the richest sources? Understanding which fruit has high pectin content is the key to creating perfectly set jams, jellies, and preserves without relying solely on commercial additives.

With nearly 200 bioactive compounds, sea buckthorn berries, often mistakenly confused with invasive common buckthorn, are a nutritional powerhouse used for centuries in traditional medicine and modern culinary products. This guide will distinguish between the two and show you what can you do with buckthorn berries safely and effectively.

Pectin is a naturally occurring soluble fiber found in the cell walls of almost all fruits. This raises a common question for home cooks: do you need pectin to make jam? The answer depends heavily on the fruit's natural pectin level and your desired final texture, but it is certainly not a mandatory ingredient.

While the exact figure varies by brand and type, one tablespoon of regular jam typically contains around 50 to 56 calories. This caloric content primarily comes from sugar, which is a key ingredient for preserving and thickening the fruit. Knowing how many calories are in 1 spoon of jam can help you make informed dietary choices.

For those with histamine intolerance, finding safe spreads can be a challenge, as many commercial products contain triggering additives. Fortunately, a variety of delicious fruit options exist, so what jams are low in histamine and suitable for a sensitive diet?

While fresh figs are a powerhouse of fiber and antioxidants, the process of turning them into jam significantly alters their nutritional profile due to added sugar. Understanding how healthy is fig jam requires a closer examination of its ingredients and preparation.

Over 150 species of roses exist, and all have edible petals, but only those grown without pesticides should be used for consumption. So, can you eat rose jam? The short answer is yes, as long as you source the petals safely.

Despite originating from pectin-rich fruits, many finished vinegars contain very little to no pectin. The fermentation process that creates vinegar, especially the second acetic acid stage, breaks down the pectin molecules that give fruits their gelling power. However, the acidity of vinegar is crucial for activating pectin in other ingredients, like when making jam.

A 2024 review noted that while some commercial jams are loaded with sugar, not all fruit spreads are created equal. So, is jam good for your health? The answer largely depends on its ingredients and how it's incorporated into your diet.

With a tablespoon of standard strawberry jam containing up to 9.7g of sugar and 56 calories, it's clear that the sweet spread isn't the nutritional powerhouse that fresh strawberries are. So, is strawberry jam good for a diet? The answer depends entirely on the type and quantity you consume, and understanding the differences is key.