Homemade Concord Grape Jam with Honey
Enjoy the sweet and tangy flavors of homemade Concord Grape Jam made with wholesome honey. This delightful jam captures the essence of fresh Concord grapes and is perfect for spreading on toast, mixing into yogurt, or using as a filling in desserts. This recipe is simple to make and yields 4 half pints, making it a delightful gift for friends and family or a special treat for yourself. Experience the taste of summer all year round with this natural and fruit-forward jam!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
2
Ingredients
Ingredients
Concord grapes
3 lbs (washed and stemmed)
Mild flavored honey
1.5 cups (none)
Instructions
1
Wash and stem the Concord grapes thoroughly.
2
Place the grapes in a large stainless or enamel pot and use a potato masher or a wooden spoon to crush them gently. This releases the juices.
3
Heat the pot over medium-high heat until the mixture comes to a gentle boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to an active simmer.
4
Let the grapes simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. The grapes should become soft and the centers should easily yield to pressure from a spoon.
5
Run the simmered grapes through a food mill or fine mesh strainer to separate the skins and seeds from the juice and pulp.
6
Return the strained pulp to the saucepan and bring it back to a boil over medium heat.
7
Once boiling, gradually stir in the honey until fully dissolved. Continue to stir frequently to prevent sticking.
8
Let the mixture boil rapidly, stirring often. After around 10 minutes, check for gel point by spooning a small amount onto a cold plate and returning it to the freezer for 1 minute. If it thickens and holds its shape, it’s ready.
9
Keep boiling until the jelly darkens and thickens to your desired consistency, which may take between 15 to 35 minutes, depending on the water content of the grapes.
10
Once the desired consistency is achieved, ladle the hot jam into clean, sterile jars, leaving approximately 1/4 inch of headspace at the top.
11
Seal the jars and process them in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes to ensure preservation.
12
Remove the jars, let them cool completely, and store in a cool, dark place.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Homemade Concord Grape Jam with Honey?
It is a sweet and tangy fruit preserve made from fresh Concord grapes and honey, resulting in a natural, fruit-forward spread.
How many ingredients are required for this recipe?
This recipe requires only two main ingredients: Concord grapes and mild-flavored honey.
What quantity of grapes do I need?
You will need 3 pounds of Concord grapes, which should be washed and stemmed before use.
What kind of honey is best for this jam?
A mild-flavored honey is recommended to allow the flavor of the Concord grapes to shine through.
How much honey is used in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1.5 cups of honey.
How do I start the jam-making process?
Begin by washing and stemming the grapes, then place them in a large stainless or enamel pot and crush them gently with a potato masher.
Why do I need to crush the grapes?
Crushing the grapes with a wooden spoon or masher helps release their juices before heating.
How long should the grapes simmer initially?
The grapes should simmer for about 10 minutes until they become soft and the centers yield to pressure.
How are the seeds and skins removed?
Run the simmered grape mixture through a food mill or a fine-mesh strainer to separate the pulp from the skins and seeds.
When do I add the honey?
Stir in the honey gradually once you have returned the strained pulp to the saucepan and brought it back to a boil.
How long does the mixture need to boil after adding honey?
Depending on the water content of the grapes, it can take between 15 to 35 minutes of rapid boiling to reach the desired consistency.
What is the cold plate test for jam?
Place a small amount of jam on a cold plate in the freezer for 1 minute; if it thickens and holds its shape when touched, it has reached the gel point.
What type of pot is best for cooking the jam?
A large stainless steel or enamel pot is recommended to prevent unwanted metallic flavors and to handle the acidity of the grapes.
How much headspace should be left in the jars?
Leave approximately 1/4 inch of headspace at the top of each jar before sealing.
How do I ensure the jam is preserved correctly?
Process the sealed jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes to ensure they are properly preserved for storage.
How many jars does this recipe yield?
This recipe yields approximately 4 half-pint jars of jam.
Where should the finished jam be stored?
Store the cooled, sealed jars in a cool, dark place for the best shelf life.
Can I use this jam as a gift?
Yes, the recipe yields 4 half pints, making it a wonderful homemade gift for friends and family.
What can I serve with Concord grape jam?
It is perfect for spreading on toast, mixing into yogurt, or using as a filling for various desserts.
Is this recipe considered natural?
Yes, because it uses honey as a sweetener instead of refined sugar, it provides a more natural flavor profile.
What happens if the jam is too thin?
Continue boiling the mixture while stirring frequently until it reaches the gel point, as consistency depends on the grapes' water content.
Why is it important to stir frequently during the boil?
Stirring frequently prevents the honey and grape mixture from sticking to the bottom of the pot and burning.
Do I need to peel the grapes first?
No, you simmer the whole grapes (washed and stemmed) and then remove the skins and seeds using a food mill later in the process.
How do I know the grapes are ready to be strained?
They are ready when they have simmered for about 10 minutes and are soft enough to yield easily to pressure.
Can I use a different sweetener?
This specific recipe is designed for honey, which adds a unique flavor and serves as the primary sweetener.
Is the jam boiled once or twice?
It is boiled twice: first to soften the grapes for straining, and a second time after adding honey to reach the gel stage.
Does the jam darken as it cooks?
Yes, during the final boiling stage, the jelly will darken and thicken as it reaches the desired consistency.
Should the jars be sterile?
Yes, for safe preservation, you should ladle the hot jam into clean, sterile jars.
Can I make this jam year-round?
While Concord grapes are a summer fruit, canning the jam allows you to enjoy the taste of summer throughout the year.
What is the difficulty level of this recipe?
This is considered a simple recipe that is accessible for those looking to make homemade fruit preserves.