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    Blackcurrant Jam

    Published: Jul 4, 2017 · Modified: Jul 28, 2021 by Jacqueline Bellefontaine ·

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Blackcurrant jam by recipes made easy

    Tangy sharp and delicious blackcurrant jam is my favourite jam. It is really simple to make as it is naturally high in pectin, so it sets easily.  jar of blackcurrant jam with blackcurrants on the work surface

    Blackcurrant Jam

    If you follow me on social media, subscribe to my weekly newsletter or are a regular reader of Recipes Made Easy,  then you will probably know that I have a small inner city allotment. As it's just a small plot I concentrate on growing soft fruit and right now all my hard work is paying dividends in the form of lots of summer berries.

    The allotments are surrounded by houses and have a very mild micro climate (we do not often get frosts) so everything tends to be a little early.  This means that  I am already making lots of lovely dishes from the berries such as my raspberry and hazelnut crumble cake and raspberry mousse.

    I have made my own jam for many years, and it's time for this years batch. Its really not very difficult and the flavour is so good. In the past whenever I have got a bargain bag of fruit out comes my large stock pot.  Strangely enough I have never got around to buying a preserving pan.

    Last year I had enough whitecurrants to make whitecurrant jam.  It was the first year I have made jam from home grown fruit and it is very satisfying to make.

    blackcurrant jam spread on bread with jar in background

    An abundance of berries

    It would appear I am not alone in having a good crop of berries this year.   I have received quite a few comments here and on instagram and facebook, saying  how this year is proving to be a great year for soft fruits.

    But even if you do not grow your own, the chances are you are likely to see lots of soft fruits in the markets or available from road sides or pick your own.  So look out for them.

    I am on my 3rd summer season with my allotment and for the first year my blackcurrant bush has produced enough fruit to make jam.  It is an easy jam to make as all your need are blackcurrants water and sugar.

    If you prefer a seedless jam try my Quick and easy blackcurrant jelly

    More Jam Recipes Made Easy

    • Peach and pomegranate jam
    • Raspberry and Redcurrant jam
    • Strawberry Jam
    • Whitecurrant jam
    jar of blackcurrant jam with blackcurrants on the work surface

    Blackcurrant Jam

    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    An easy to make jam with a delicious tangy flavour.
    Makes enough for about 4  x 450g(1lb) jars
    Course Jams and preserves
    Cuisine British
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Total Time 50 mins
    Servings 72 x 25g (1oz)
    Calories 90
    Author Jacqueline Bellefontaine

    Ingredients

    • 1 kg blackcurrants (2¼lb)
    • 750 ml water 1½pt (3 cups)
    • 1½ kg granulated sugar (3lb/6¾ cups)
    metric - US cups

    Instructions

    • Wash the blackcurrants and remove them from the stems. Place into a preserving pan or very large saucepan. Add the water, bring to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes until the blackcurrants are soft.
    • Add the sugar and cook over a low heat stirring until the sugar has dissolved.
    • Bring to a rolling boil and boil for 10 minutes, then test for a set.  Continue to boil for another 2 minutes before retesting  and repeat if necessary until setting point is reached.  If you have a thermometer the mixture should reach 105℃/220°F.
    • Pour into hot sterilised jars and cover. Label when cool.

    Notes

    Place a couple of sauces into the fridge before starting, ready for testing the jam for setting point or use a thermometer.
    For hints and tips check out How to sterilise jars, test for set, pot and seal jars when making jams and preserves.
    Nutrition information is calculated based on this jam making 4 x 450g (1lb) jars and each serving being 25g (1oz)
     
     

    Nutrition

    Serving: 25g | Calories: 90kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin C: 23.3mg | Calcium: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment or Mention @recipecrumbs or tag #RecipesMadeEasy

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    « Raspberry and Hazelnut Crumble Cake
    Homemade Blackcurrant Cordial »

    About Jacqueline Bellefontaine

    Jacqueline is a member of the Guild of Food Writers and has been a cookery writer and food stylist for over 25 years. She has written over 15 cookery books, in addition to writing for several major magazines. She likes to champion good basic home cooking and as the daughter of a master baker, she is passionate about home baking.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. kathi dunphy

      August 08, 2020 at 12:44 am

      Judging by the thickened black currant goo lining my jam boiling pot, this double batch is going to set all right. I am in New Brunswick, Canada, a transplanted Brit, and my black currants are so prolific (despite a prolonged drought) that I cant pick them all. Neighbors are helping themselves to make wine with them. I was surprised to find that red currants taste nothing like their black cousins, but they make a pleasant yet humdrum jam compared to the black ones.

      Reply
      • Jacqueline Bellefontaine

        August 11, 2020 at 5:42 pm

        I have had a very prolific crop of blackcurrants this year too harvesting over 5kg of them. Not bad from just 3 bushes. I didn't even manage to pick them all. I, of course, made this jam it's my favourite flavour as well as making blackcurrant curd among other things, which I have published over on my other blog Only Crumbs Remain. Not tried making wine though I should have thought of that. And yes sound like your jam will set just right I have found its a nice easy one to get a set. Mt redcurrants were a fail this year but I have made raspberry and redcurrant jam that tastes good. Enjoy your crop. Jacqui

        Reply
    2. Carole ryan

      June 29, 2020 at 9:59 am

      5 stars
      What great jam to make easy to do and a great flavour my favourite jam

      Reply
      • Jacqueline Bellefontaine

        June 29, 2020 at 10:45 am

        It's my favourite jam too. I love how the sharpness of the blackcurrants cuts through the sweetness of the jam.

        Reply
    3. Sue Smith

      May 31, 2020 at 7:13 am

      4 stars
      I had to boil this for 15 minutes before it looked like it was setting. It was still quite runny so I was not hopeful but after putting it in jars I put them in the fridge and it has set beautifully.

      Reply
      • Jacqueline Bellefontaine

        June 01, 2020 at 12:39 pm

        Enjoy! Hope you like it as much as i do when you taste it, It's my favourite jam and will be making it again soon as my currants ripen.

        Reply
    4. Jennifer

      August 25, 2018 at 1:22 am

      1 star
      Would not set. Such a waste of expensive fruit

      Reply
      • Jacqueline A Bellefontaine

        August 26, 2018 at 4:11 pm

        IM so sorry you had problems getting a set. If you followed the recipe you should have got a set without any problem as blackcurrants have quite a high pectin content. I have been making this recipe for years without an issue.
        However all is not lost if you get a jam does not set.You can use it in baking try for jam tarts or to sweeten other fruit such as apple or pears in a pire or crumble. It also makes a great sauce for ice cream. Stirred into whipped cream and frozen it also makes a delicious no churn ice cream.

        Reply
        • Brian

          July 08, 2020 at 5:20 pm

          you can re boil the jam and it will set if at the correct temperature i think blackcurrant jam is the easiest to make

          Reply
          • Jacqueline Bellefontaine

            July 08, 2020 at 5:43 pm

            Yes Brian you can re boil jam if it hasnt set. You can also test for set by temperature for jam that should be 105C but I actually find the wrinkle test the most reliable. Blackcurrants are high in pectin so does set well and I agree it is one of the easiest to make for this reason.

            Reply
    5. Keith Rydings

      July 24, 2018 at 3:17 am

      Here goes...First try with blackcurrents...!

      Reply
      • Jacqueline A Bellefontaine

        July 24, 2018 at 8:43 am

        Oh would love to know how you get on. Sadly i didnt get enough blackcurrants off my bushes to make jam this year

        Reply
    6. jenny paulin

      July 07, 2017 at 10:23 pm

      5 stars
      I have always fancied trying my hand at making jam, but as yet it still eludes me! your jam looks ....well like high quality jam and such a lovely colour too. You make it sound easy to make too which is appealing. I would love to eat that piece of bread covered in your jam! x

      Reply
      • Jacqueline Bellefontaine

        July 08, 2017 at 7:16 pm

        Thanks Jenny. I think Homemade jam tastes like high quality bought jam only better. Some jams are a little difficult to get a set (i'll be honest I have had to re-boil strawberry jam more than once) but this one is pretty easy so a good one for a beginner. j x

        Reply
    7. Angela / Only Crumbs Remain

      July 07, 2017 at 4:50 pm

      How I'd love an allotment Jacqui, I can just imagine how satisfying it is to frow your own produce and then make wonderful things with it once it's harvested! Such a treat to to have homemade jam - and it's so easy to do too 🙂
      Angela x

      Reply
      • Jacqueline Bellefontaine

        July 08, 2017 at 7:17 pm

        I am very lucky, mine is only about 3x4 m so much smaller than a regular plot, but more than enough for me but it is surrsing how much you can produce from a small space as this years harvest is testament to.

        Reply
    8. Kate, Meals and Makes.

      July 06, 2017 at 8:13 am

      I don't have a very sweet tooth so I love slightly sharp fruit like blackcurrants. Blackcurrant jam is one of my favourites. I must try this recipe, I have only made blackberry jam. I overdid the boiling so it ended up being much too solid and very pip heavy (so not one of my finest dishes!!).

      Reply
      • Jacqueline Bellefontaine

        July 06, 2017 at 10:03 am

        I think blackcurrant is much nicer than blackberry but I shall probably make some blackberry jam this year as I have a lot of those coming along too.

        Reply
    9. Lathiya

      July 05, 2017 at 9:58 pm

      Always love homemade jams..this is absolute delish

      Reply
      • Jacqueline Bellefontaine

        July 06, 2017 at 10:03 am

        Thank you

        Reply
    10. Eb Gargano | Easy Peasy Foodie

      July 04, 2017 at 9:36 pm

      Oh I love blackcurrant jam, but haven't had it in yonks! I love how simple this recipe is too!! Thanks for linking up to #CookBlogShare 🙂 Eb x

      Reply
      • Jacqueline Bellefontaine

        July 05, 2017 at 10:35 am

        Thanks Eb, I think it is one of the easiest to make, no trouble getting a set

        Reply
    11. Monika Dabrowski

      July 04, 2017 at 12:48 pm

      5 stars
      Blackcurrant jam is my favourite jam, too! I don't grow my own fruit so I forget that jam can be made at home and never really make it. I'll have to find blackcurrants and make this jam:)

      Reply
      • Jacqueline Bellefontaine

        July 04, 2017 at 12:50 pm

        Thank you Monika. I love making my own jam it tastes great and is often cheaper if you find a bargain sauce of fruit like pick your own or strawberries after wimbledon fortnight!

        Reply
    12. Jhuls @ The Not So Creative Cook

      July 04, 2017 at 11:11 am

      I love the sound of this one -perfect for my morning sandwich! Thanks for sharing, Jacqui!

      Reply
      • Jacqueline Bellefontaine

        July 05, 2017 at 10:38 am

        Oh yes a lovely jam for sandwiches

        Reply
    13. Michelle Rolfe

      July 04, 2017 at 11:05 am

      5 stars
      I moved into an old house 2 years ago and last year discovered in the overgrown courtyard was loads of black currant bushes! I love making Jan and often mix some apple into mine. So satisfying making your own!

      Reply
      • Jacqueline Bellefontaine

        July 04, 2017 at 12:51 pm

        What a lovely discovery! Yes jam making is very satisfying.

        Reply

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    Jacqueline Bellefontaine.

    Hello I'm Jacqui
    I believe that great tasting home cooking need not be hard work, so I like to write and cook recipes that are as easy as they can be. But I won't compromise on taste!

    This blog is written and photographed by me at home and it's all about my favourite recipes, that I make for family, for friends and for fun. I hope you like them too.

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