From Branch to Jar – Plum Jam
Thank you to everyone who joined us in the orchards recently for plum picking! There is truly nothing quite like the taste of fruit straight from the branch. If your kitchen counter is currently loaded with baskets of juicy plums, we have the perfect weekend project for you. This simple, small-batch plum jam is incredibly easy to make, naturally vegan, and fills the whole house with a warm, spiced aroma. We’ve scaled this recipe perfectly for a classic batch of 1kg of plums—perfect for filling about three standard jars to enjoy or give as gifts.
Step 2
The Rolling Boil: Turn the heat up high and bring the mixture to a full, bubbling rolling boil. Depending on your stove, it can take a bit of time to get everything up to the right heat. Once it reaches a fierce, rapid boil, let it bubble for 4 to 5 minutes, then take the pan off the heat. The Wrinkle Test: Take a cold saucer from the freezer and drop a small spoonful of hot jam onto it. Let it cool for a minute, then push it gently with your finger. If the surface wrinkles, your jam is done! If it’s too runny, boil for another minute and test again. (If using a thermometer, you are aiming for 105°C).
Step 1
Before you start, pop two small saucers into the freezer—you will use these later to test if your jam is ready. Thoroughly wash and sterilise your glass jars. Soften the Fruit: Put your chopped plums and the 100ml of water into a large saucepan. Simmer gently over medium heat for about 10 minutes until the fruit is soft and tender. Dissolve the Sugar: Turn the heat down low and stir in the sugar, ground cinnamon, and lemon juice. Stir continuously for about 10 to 15 minutes until the sugar crystals have completely dissolved. Do not let it boil yet!
Step 3
Jar It Up: If any white foam has floated to the top, simply skim it off with a metal spoon. Stir in the optional cinnamon stick and let the jam rest for 15 minutes—this stops all the fruit pieces from sinking to the bottom of your jars. Ladle into your warm jars, seal tightly, and enjoy the taste of the farm all year round!