Making Jams and Preserves: Tips for Following Recipes

When you are picking a recipe for your jams and preserves you will want to make sure that you are getting your recipe from a reliable source and that it has been tested and tried. It is very important that you follow the recipe and directions exactly. If you deviate, you will not get desired results.

It is important that you use the exact amount of fruit and sugar listed. Also, if the recipe calls for liquid pectin, be sure to use liquid pectin. If it calls for powdered pectin, be sure to use powdered pectin. Substituting one type of pectin for the other may give you undesired results.

Like with many recipes that we follow, if we want to make a double batch we will simply double the amount of ingredients that we use. This is not recommended when making jams and preserves. If you want to make more than the recipe yields you will need to go through the process twice, or however many times it takes to make your desired amount. The reason that we do not double recipes when making jams and preserves is that when doing so the mixture will not cook properly. Similarly, do not cut the recipe in half either.

ou may prefer to use recipes that do not require cooking, as these methods are quicker. Nevertheless, make sure that you follow the directions precisely.