Jam, one of the yummiest and simplest breakfast companions. We either make it at home or buy a readymade jar, but it’s a must-have in our kitchens. Jam is mainly fruit-based gelled puree. It is usually made with a combination of fruits like strawberries, peaches, pineapple, plum, or mango. 

Since, the fruit puree is boiled with sugar and water, which helps activate the pectin. Pectin is responsible for giving that gel-like texture to the jams. Since it is not a free-flowing liquid, it is easy to spread on our pieces of bread, Rotis, etc. Jams are made from the entire fruit including the pulp.

History of Jams:

It has a long history, and the cooking area in the first-century Roman cookbook contains recipes for making jams. It is used as a high-sugar dietary supplement in the Middle East. It was brought to England by the Crusaders. Brought by the Spanish to the West Indies, where there are many fruits, this method is used to preserve the fruits. 

American immigrants have their way of making jam, but the book was first written in the 17th century. In New England, honey, molasses, and maple syrup are used to increase sweetness.

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Types of Jam:

There are a lot of jams readily available in the Indian market:

• Pineapple Jam
• Mixed Fruit Jam
• Strawberry Jam
• Blueberry Jam
• Mango Jam

You can also make these jams at home, they are super simple and hygienic for kids, let’s learn about the mixed fruit jam recipe.

Mixed Fruit Jam

Mixed fruit jam is the most favorite type of jam of all! For many, it is kind of the daily breakfast to have jam and toast. But, you know it is very simple to make mixed jam at home too. Here we share one recipe with you.

Ingredients:

• 2 apples, peeled and chopped
• 2 oranges, peeled and chopped
• 7 strawberries, chopped
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 bananas, peeled and chopped
• 1 pineapple, peeled and chopped
•  ½ tbsp. lemon juice

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Method:

1. Combine all the fruits in a mixer and blend them until it becomes smooth like a puree.
2. Transfer the puree into the pan, add sugar and cook on a medium flame, while stirring continuously.
3. Let it come to a boil.
4. Now, once it starts boiling, lower the flame and simmer it till the puree thickens, while stirring continuously.
5. Now, the natural pectin from the fruits will start releasing and the puree begins to thicken and looks like semi-solid jam. 
6. This is the time to add lemon juice and mix it very well.
7. Continue cooking the jam on a lower flame and allow it to cook for 30 – 40 minutes on a low flame.
8. Make sure to stir it continuously.
9. Switch off the flame and allow it to cool. Once cooled, store it in an air-tight container. 
10. Serve your homemade Mixed Fruit Jam with bread and enjoy! It will remain fresh for 2 weeks.

Based on what I know, fruit jams have very low levels of fatty acids. This can be beneficial for individuals who are trying to reduce their fat intake, as it helps to lower the overall fat content in their diet.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

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6 Exciting Ways to Use Jam Beyond Bread

1. Add it to your meat dish to give that tangy-sweet flavor.
2. A light tosses to your salad with jam and add caramelized onions and you and your kids will love it.
3. Can be used as a syrup for our pancakes. Heat the jam a little bit and pour it immediately on your pancakes.
4. Use as a filling sauce for your tarts or cupcakes, it will take your dessert to the next level.
5. Make a milkshake out of it by adding jam and any fruits of your choice.
6. Other options with bread would be – jam bread and cheese toast.

From what I’ve seen, jams typically contain at least 40% fruit content. This means that they provide some of the nutritional benefits of fruits, such as vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. Jams, when made at home with a regulated quantity of sugar can be a flavourful addition to your meals.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)

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Health Benefits of Jam

While most jams contain some amount of added sugar, they can still bring certain health benefits to your diet. Whether you are making it yourself or buying from the store, be sure to check the sugar content of your jam to ensure that you’re not overloading on sucrose!

• Jams are low on fats and cholesterol, unlike other spreads such as butter, cheese or Nutella. 
• Pectin (which is present in almost all jams) may contribute to better hair, nail and skin health. 
• Healthy fruit jam with whole grain bread is an effective combo for staving off constipation. 
• Jams made from whole fruit (rather than processed jams) can contribute to lowering your risk of heart disease.

Note that these benefits should be weighed against the potential downsides of consuming too much sugar. Nearly all jams will be unhealthy if they contain excess sugar and if they are consumed often.

Jam is an all-time favorite among kids and adults and as rightly quoted, ”Happiness is like jam – you can’t spread even little without getting some on yourself!! 

So, wear your chef hat, and turn your kitchen into a master chef kitchen and prepare a yummy, delicious and healthy homemade jam recipe.

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