Description
Homemade orange jam with warm spices blends Mediterranean citrus flavors into a delightful preserve. Fragrant cinnamon and cloves complement sweet orange notes, creating a rich spread perfect for morning toast or elegant cheese pairings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 lbs (1.36 kg) oranges, peeled
- 1 cup (200 g) sugar
- 1–2 whole cinnamon sticks
- 1–2 whole star anise
- 1–2 whole cloves
Instructions
- Peel Preparation: Skillfully remove orange zest, meticulously stripping away the white pith to preserve a pure, vibrant citrus essence.
- Puree Creation: Blend orange segments into a silky, uniform consistency using an immersion blender, transforming the fruit into a smooth base.
- Flavor Infusion: Combine orange puree with sweetener and a carefully curated blend of warm spices in a heavy-bottomed saucepan, allowing aromatics to intermingle and develop depth.
- Cooking Process: Simmer the mixture over medium heat, stirring consistently to prevent burning and promote even caramelization, watching as the jam gradually thickens and intensifies in flavor.
- Consistency Check: Perform the cold plate test by dropping a small amount of jam onto a chilled surface; when the mixture holds its shape without immediate spreading, it has reached the perfect gel point.
- Preservation: Carefully pour the molten jam into sterilized glass jars, leaving appropriate headspace, and choose between refrigeration for immediate enjoyment or water bath canning for long-term storage.
Notes
- Peel Precision: Remove the white pith completely to prevent bitter undertones and achieve a smooth, refined jam texture.
- Blending Brilliance: Puree oranges thoroughly to create a uniform base that ensures consistent flavor and spreadability.
- Spice Synergy: Select warm spices like cinnamon or cardamom to elevate the orange’s natural brightness and add depth to the jam’s profile.
- Setting Success: Use the cold plate test to guarantee perfect jam consistency – a simple technique that prevents runny or overly stiff preserves.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Global
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 174
- Sugar: 40 g
- Sodium: 1 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg