and so, last year, when I left from Harshad's farm near Kodaikanal, with my saddle bags padded with tamarillos (that's how I ensured they didn't sag!) and arrived in Mumbai - it was time to make jam!
the thing about jam is, while dad made detailed recipes, and I probably even scanned them and have digital copies of his notes on a hard disk somewhere, I remember two things about jam-making very clearly: that it's extremely simple, and that it's basically simmering equal parts fruit and granulated sugar until the texture is right.
and yes, that is basically it!
I did make some modifications though: I used a ratio of 60% fruit to 40% sugar, added lemon juice to help it set (thanks, google!) - and used the "wrinkle test" to check when it was done (thanks, google, again!)
and... that was it!
in hindsight, the tamarillo jam set a little too firm - probably because I googled the wrinkle test when it had already set. also, one cannot discount beginner's luck, especially in my case! so attempt 2 (literally as I was getting to the bottom of the 1.5kg jar of tamarillo jam!) was blueberry jam.
same recipe: 60% blueberry (1kg) to 40% granualted sugar, but with some assorted frozen berries that were lying in the freezer chucked in as well, and a bit of lemon zest for a bit of extra depth of flavour. also, did the wrinkle test just-about in time - and it had already set at that point, as it passed the test on the first try! much better than the previous attempt.
entirely satisfactory once again. also really cheap: about £11 if you don't count the cost of cooking gas (thanks to a good deal on blueberries at M&S!). and if you add the fact that there are no artificial additives, and the fruit to sugar ratio is well above commercially available jam, I am pleased with myself!
TL;DR: #slurpalicious #foodgasm!
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