Reduced Sugar Blackberry Jam

At home we have an abundant blackberry vine with berries that are just calling out to be made into jam!

I prefer a less sweet jam, this recipe only has one cup of sugar to four cups of blackberries. Blackberries are very easy to grow and are packed with health benefits, they’re rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. When adding to a jam with sugar the benefits are still there – although sugar is obviously not good for you so eat sparingly.

When growing blackberries beware that they spread through their root system, which can send up new shoots some distance away from the original plant. These shoots can then be transplanted to propagate new blackberry plants or leave them where they appear if you have the space.

Reduced Sugar Blackberry Jam

1 kg (about 4 cups) fresh blackberries

1 cup granulated sugar

1 tablespoon lemon juice

2 teaspoons low-sugar pectin (optional, for thickening)

Instructions:

Wash the blackberries under running water and remove any stems or leaves.

In a large pot, combine the blackberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Stir well to combine.

Let the mixture sit for about 30 minutes to allow the sugar to macerate the blackberries and draw out their juices.

After 30 minutes, place the pot over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring frequently to prevent sticking or burning.

Once the mixture reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 20-30 minutes, or until it thickens to your desired consistency. Stir occasionally.

If you prefer a thicker jam, you can stir in the low-sugar pectin during the last 5 minutes of cooking. Follow the instructions on the pectin package for best results.

Once the jam has thickened, remove the pot from the heat and let it cool slightly.

Transfer the jam to clean, sterilised jars, leaving about a centimetre of space at the top of each jar.

Seal the jars tightly and let them cool completely at room temperature.

Once cooled, store the jam in the refrigerator or process the jars in a water bath canner for long-term storage.