Jammy help please

[JuzaMum]

Hi from a lurker

I have made some lovely blackberry and apple jam and would like to make some seedless. Should I sieve it or use a muslin. Would this be the same sort of muslin I use for my baby? At what stage would I do this?

If I make plum or damson jam will the stones float to the top? I spent ages last year destoning fruit before making.

Thanks

JuzaMum

[MKG]

I can't help on everything - but I can on the fruit stones. Yes, they will float to the top EVENTUALLY - but not until the majority of the flesh has fallen off them. By the time that happens, you may well have imparted a distinct almondy flavour to your jam (caused by cyanide compounds which are nothing at all to worry about as you'd need to eat a ton or so for it to be threatening). Some people like that flavour, others don't. If you don't, then you're stuck with the de-stoning routine, I'm afraid.

Mike

[Green Aura]

Making clear jam (jelly) is fairly easy. Cook your fruit until it's a mush then strain through a jelly bag - let it hang over night and don't squeeze it or you'll get cloudy jelly (which personally doesn't bother me in the slightest). Then measure your juice add the appropriate amount of sugar and make your jam as usual. Doesn't matter if its pips or stones - same method for both.

[Marmalady]

dripping through muslin means you will just use the juice and get a clear jelly

if you want a more jam-like substance, just without seeds, then push the stewed fruit through a sieve and then use the resultant seed-free pulp and continue as for jam

As for plums & damsons, I usually stone plums but damsons are usually too fiddly so i cook those whole & skim them off as they rise to the top

[Thomzo]

A colander with large holes is ideal for damson stones. Stew gently until the flesh has parted company with the stones. Pass it through the colander. The stones and large bits of skin will be trapped in the colander but the flesh and juice will go through. Add sugar etc at that point.

Zoe

[JuzaMum]

Thanks for the replies - I shall try sieving the blackberry jam. Hopefully I shall get some damsoms from my neighbours tree soon and I won't spend ages destoning this year.