Cherry jam: the recipe

Cherries are the most popular seasonal fruit of these spring and summer months, a delight for the palate that's hard to resist. Finally, a splash of red after so much winter gray!

Cherries are so tempting that you can’t eat just one. Normally, they’re eaten raw as a snack: fresh, sweet or tart, more red or more purple, they make for a satisfying and low-calorie summer treat. But when we have too many and want to preserve them, what can we do? Well, the answer is simple: make a delicious cherry jam. Perfect for homemade tarts or a simple snack with bread, jam is that pantry staple you can enjoy any time of year, even in the gloomiest months when summer feels like a distant memory.

So, let’s see how to make a great homemade cherry jam.

Cherry Jam: Ingredients and Preparation
This is a simple recipe, and Illasi cherries, which you can find in our shop, are perfect for achieving a high-quality product with an intense flavor.

What do we need for our cherry jam?

• 1kg of pitted Illasi cherries
• 300g of sugar
• 1 lemon
• 1 large glass bowl
• 1 saucepan

Where do we start?
First, you need to let the cherries macerate. Pit the cherries by halving them, and then place them in a large, shallow glass bowl. Add the sugar and 3 or 4 tablespoons of lemon juice, and if desired, the zest—just make sure the lemon is organic and untreated. Finally, let everything rest in a cool, dry place or in the fridge for 6-8 hours.

After the maceration, remove the lemon zest and put everything in the saucepan. Cook over low heat for about an hour, skimming off the foam from time to time. The jam is ready when the liquid becomes thick and syrupy. A drop placed on a slanted surface should stick without running off.

How do we store the jam?
Once the cooking is finished and the jam is still hot, pour it into glass jars of your preferred size. Seal immediately, then turn the jars upside down and let them cool. Store the jam in a cool, dark place for at least three weeks. Once opened, the jam should be consumed within five days, so we recommend using small jars.

Of course, you can experiment and create spiced or unique versions: for example, you could try cherry jam flavored with ginger or mint, or you can add other fruits like currants or apples.

Cherry Jam or Cherry Marmalade?
Before we finish, here’s a fun fact: in everyday language, people often use the words "jam" and "marmalade" interchangeably. However, they are not the same. According to European regulations, "marmalade" refers to products made from sugar and citrus fruits, like lemons or grapefruits. "Jam," on the other hand, refers to all other fruit-based products with sugar. So, saying "cherry marmalade" is incorrect. The correct term is "cherry jam."

S&M