No Sugar Homemade Jam

Of course this homemade jam isn’t completely sugar free as it does use a little honey to soften the zingyness of the berries, but it is natural sweetness which really celebrates the flavour of Summer without packing in the sugar.

This recipe doesn’t make a traditional sticky jam, as this requires high levels of sugar which these days more and more people are trying to avoid. Better to think of it as a Summer Berry Spread. Jam making is one of the simple pleasures of the Summer season. There is nothing more satisfying than a stack of freshly filled jam jars on your kitchen counter, and it’s a perfect way to use up any soft fruit before it goes to waste.

Sugar Free Homemade Jam Ingredients

500g  strawberries (or any other berries of your choice) washed and destalked.

1 tsp agar agar (vegetarian gelatin made from seaweed).

If you don’t have agar agar you can substitute the same amount of arrowroot powder.

2 tbsp lemon juice.

2 tbsp honey.

Method

Stir the ingredients in a heavy bottomed saucepan over a gentle heat. Allow the mixture to simmer until the fruit softens and the liquid starts to gel and thicken (about 15 mins.)  You won’t achieve the same stickiness as with jam sugar, but the result is a set fruity spread that really feels good for you.

Store the jam in the fridge in sterilised jam jars, or it can be frozen if you want to store it for longer. It can be used in so many different ways, spread it on some wholegrain toast, on top  your breakfast porridge or as a fruity layer in fruit tarts and cakes.