Black Currant Jelly Recipes

BLACK CURRANT JAM

Steps:

• Place the black currants in a medium stock pot along with the water. Bring to a boil then simmer for about 10 minutes until the berries are softened. Add the sugar and lemon juice and simmer until the temperature registers 220 degrees F. (I use an instant read thermometer.)
• If you're going to use the jam within a few months, pour the jam into sterilized jars and once cool store in the fridge.For long-term storage you can use the water bath canning method: Ladle the hot jam into sterilized jars, wipe the rims of the jars and screw on the lids. Process the jars in a water bath canner (5 minutes for half pints, 10 minutes for pints and quarts). Carefully remove the jars and let them sit undisturbed for 24 hours before removing the rims and storing them in a dark cool place to store. Makes about 3 pints.

BEST EVER BLACK CURRANT JAM

Steps:

• Add the black currants to a deep pot along with the sugar and lemon juice.
• Stir to combine and turn the heat to high, stirring every now and then until the mixture starts to bubble and become hot.
• Use a potato masher to mash the currants until they begin to fall apart.
• When the mixture begins to boil, continue to stir every 30 seconds or so.
• Use an instant-read thermometer - here's a link to mine (affiliate link) - to measure the temperature of the jam as it boils. Be sure the thermometer is measuring at the middle of the jam and not touching the bottom of the pot.
• Continue boiling as the temperature climbs and don't let it stop boiling until it reaches 220 degrees Fahrenheit (for low altitudes) or 210 degrees Fahrenheit (for high altitudes). This should take about 8 minutes or so.
• Once the correct temperature is reached, remove the pot from the heat and carefully spoon the jam into 2 mason jars. The jam might seem a little bit liquid at this stage - don't worry! It will thicken as it cools.
• Add the lids to the jars and allow to cool at room temperature until completely cool.
• Store in the fridge and enjoy!

CURRANT JELLY

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine currants with 1/3 cup water. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until fruit has broken down and released its juices, about 8 minutes. Mash the fruit mixture with a potato masher or the back of a wooden spoon. Strain through a fine sieve into a large measuring cup, pressing on the solids to extract as much juice as possible. You should have about 4 cups juice. Discard solids.
• Place a small plate in the freezer. Return juice to clean saucepan; add sugar. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to a simmer; cook, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. When teaspoon of jelly placed on chilled plate ripples if pushed with your finger, it is ready.
• Remove jelly from heat, and skim off any foam from surface. Ladle jelly into sterilized canning jars; wipe rims with a dishtowel. Seal tightly.
• Meanwhile, bring a stockpot of water to a boil over high heat. Using tongs, carefully place filled jars in boiling water, letting them sit 10 minutes. Remove; let cool. If center of jar lids give when pushed with finger, jars have not sealed properly. Jelly in sealed jars will keep up to 1 year. After opening, jelly will keep up to 2 months in the refrigerator.

BLACK CURRANT JELLY

Steps:

• Rinse and drain currants and put in a large preserving kettle. Crush fruit, add water and cook slowly for 15 minutes. Force through a sieve or food mill to remove seeds. Pour the juices into a jelly bag and let drip overnight. (If you do not have a jelly bag, line a colander with 4 thicknesses of cheesecloth and set over a bowl.) The next day, measure the juices in a bowl, pour into a large pot, add an equal quantity of sugar and bring to a boil, stirring constantly until the sugar is dissolved. Cook over a high heat for 2 or 3 minutes, until a thermometer registers 220° or the juice sheets from the side of a spoon (i.e., when the last two drops on the spoon run together). Pour into hot, sterilized jelly glasses and cover with a thin layer of melted paraffin. When the paraffin has hardened, cover the glasses and store.