It may seem simple, but there’s a lot to remember when it comes to storing jams and preserves. You need to make sure your jam is set to the right consistency before you bottle it. You need to ensure your jars, lids and equipment are sterilised and secure. And you’ll definitely want to do everything you can to pack in the delicious tangy flavours of your preserves. To make things a little easier, here are our top tips for how to store homemade jam.
Sterilise Your Jars
From jam to honey to homebrew, the number one rule of all kinds of preserving is to sterilise your containers. Sterilising your jars prevents your homemade jam from becoming contaminated, which can cause bacteria to grow and make your jams spoil.
You can sterilise your jars in a number of ways. If you have a dishwasher, just run your jars and lids through on a hot rinse cycle. You can also boil them, or put them in the oven. Follow these easy steps for sterilising your jars.
Sterilise Everything Else
It’s not just your jars that need to be sparkling clean. Make sure all the equipment you’re using – including spoons, lids, and funnels – have all been sterilised before you start. You can use the same method as you used for your jars if your items are suitable for use over a certain temperature.
Test Your Jam
To keep your jam fresh for as long as possible, you need to jar it when it’s at its best. The perfect moment to pot your preserve is when it hits its setting point. The easiest way to check if your jam is at its setting point is to use a sugar thermometer to heat the jam to 105°C. If you don’t have a sugar thermometer, follow the instructions here to test your jam.
Jar Your Jam While It’s Hot
If you ladle your jam into your jars and close them while the jam is still hot, this can help keep bacteria out until you open the jar again. The heat forms a vacuum seal with the lid of the jar, which helps to keep bacteria out and flavour in.
Use The Right Jars
If you choose the right jars for storing your homemade jam, the whole process becomes a lot easier. For example, using a jar that’s suitable for hot fill means it’ll easily withstand the high heats needed to sterilise and fill it. Jam jars that come with metal twist-off lids don’t need to be used with a wax seal, so they can be a more cost-effective solution than other jar types.
Store In A Cool, Dark Place
You don’t need to store jams and preserves in the fridge. If they’ve been boiled and preserved in the right way, bacteria is unlikely to grow in the jar, so there’s no need to keep it chilled. Instead, store it in your kitchen cupboard. To make sure your jams stay free from contamination, always use a clean knife or spoon to dip into your jar.
With these top tips for how to store your homemade jam, you can keep your delicious preserves fresh and flavoursome for even longer!
If you’re still looking for jars for your homemade jams, we offer jars in lots of styles and sizes. Whether you’re giving away your jams as gifts, or just making the most of a seasonal glut of fruits, you’re sure to find the jar for you in our collection. All our glass jam jars are suitable for hot fill unless otherwise stated. Shop our picks below – or take a look at the full collection.
Shop Online For Glass Jam Jars
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| 55ml Hexagonal Jam Jar | 314ml Orcio Jam Jar | 150ml Glass Jam Jar |