Make your own preserves

Make your own preserves

It is so easy and rewarding to make your own preserves, using seasonal and local ingredients that are often cheap or even free!

[ gifts ]

Homemade jams and chutney make great Xmas presents!

The aim of this website is to show how easy (and rewarding) it is to make your own preserves, using seasonal and local ingredients (often cheap or even free!). Great for your own use - or (as you will find you end up with a LOT of preserves!) or as presents. Also (for those of us with ADHD, who are easily bored) jam making is very relaxing...

This website will be seasonal and monthly, taking you through what to make each month (focusing on what is seasonal, free and forage able or cheap). I will also look at what to do with 'waste' (such as lemon or lime peel) and 'gluts' of fruit or vegetables.

Filler Image

All you need is a big pan (preserving pans are great but not essential - I use an old stock pot I got in a John Lewis sale thirty years ago), a wooden spoon, a saucer/small plate and jam jars (keep the ones you buy, soak the labels off and reuse - ones with well fitting, metal lids are preferable). Any large pan will do, although it is best to avoid aluminium ones (as these may alter the flavour).

A jam funnel is useful, as is a ladle, but not essential. You will also need wax discs (you can buy them or cut them out of greaseproof paper) to put over the jam to stop it coming into contact with the metal lid.

[ Latest projects ]

Seasonal preserves!

Ginger Jelly

04 Feb 2022

This is really nice on toast - and a good way of using up a glut of apples or ones that...

Caramelised Apple Jam

06 Nov 2021

 This is very nice on toast or with greek yoghurt. it is very sweet but stores well...

Spiced Apple Jelly

06 Nov 2021

 You can use the left over apple pulp from this recipe to make an apple equivilant...

Quince Jelly

03 Nov 2021

Really worth making if you have a supply of quinces - use the left over fruit pulp to...

Membrilo (Quince Cheese/Paste)

03 Nov 2021

Make this with the left over pulp from making Quince Jelly. Great with a mild cheddar or...

Spiced Xmas Marmalade

31 Oct 2021

Marmalade with some Christmas spices for festive flavour! makes good presents

Sorry, this website uses features that your browser doesn’t support. Upgrade to a newer version of Firefox, Chrome, Safari, or Edge and you’ll be all set.