Virgin Jam maker

[Juddy in the Charente]

First time at jam making, thought it was going good so how come the strawberries have floated to the top of my jam? Mass escape bid? Synchronised strawberries?

[Ellendra]

Simmer them a bit longer before adding the pectin. If the berries aren't cooked all the way through they'll float.

That or there might be foam caught under the berries and its pushing them upward. But if that's the case you'd see lots of tiny bubbles in the jar.

[Mylovelyhorse]

I think with strawberry jam, there's a real risk of that happening. So you're advised to leave it to cool for 10 minutes before bottling it, then give it a very good stir to redistribute all the fruit...

[oldfella]

Where do I find Virgins to make jam, and when do you know they are ripe enough, how much sugar do you need and how long do you cook them for before they reach the setting stage

[frozenthunderbolt]

Where do I find Virgins to make jam, and when do you know they are ripe enough, how much sugar do you need and how long do you cook them for before they reach the setting stage

I was thinking along much the same lines but you beat me to it and said it better!

[Peggy Sue]

Yes why else would the boys be looking at a jam making thread I wonder

[Odsox]

Yes why else would the boys be looking at a jam making thread I wonder

Maybe because this "boy" does all the jam making in this household, along with breadmaking and most of the cooking.
Mind you, a virgin or two might slow me down a bit

Yes you're right Mylovelyhorse, when you get to setting temperature, switch off and leave to cool for 10 to 15 minutes.
Then the jam has started to set and the strawberries are "stuck" and can't float to the surface.

[Peggy Sue]

Ah my OH will do all the household stuff but not jam making....way too messy, at least the way I do it He just comes back and tears his hair out at sticky jam everywhere where I was testing it, putting the stiring spoon down, putting the thermometer down, then the biggie...pouring it into the pots- mega mess

Not a virgin but not that experienced as you can see!

[ina]

Where do I find Virgins to make jam, and when do you know they are ripe enough, how much sugar do you need and how long do you cook them for before they reach the setting stage

I was thinking along much the same lines but you beat me to it and said it better!

And I was thinking - you don't really need to be a virgin to make jam...

My father started making jam after my mum died - and he was over 70 then.

[frozenthunderbolt]

Yes why else would the boys be looking at a jam making thread I wonder

I made 6-8 kg each of blackberry jam and damson jam this year

[Peggy Sue]

Yes why else would the boys be looking at a jam making thread I wonder

I made 6-8 kg each of blackberry jam and damson jam this year

This year! Ah you're from down under....well perhaps thats where boys make jam and girls dig? No my theory is flawed again...I dig and make jam

I do hope there's damsons about this year I'd planned to raid my friends tree but there were none last year