How to make Plum Jam - easy!

All jams are made in roughly the same way; use the same amount of sugar as fruit , soften the fruit, then add the sugar, boil, and pour into jars, putting the lids on while hot.
In more detail for plum jam:
1. Stone your plums, and cut them into approximate quarters
2. Add a dribble of water to your plums, and the juice of a lemon if you have it (this helps with setting, which is not usually an issue with plums, as they are naturally high in pectin)
3. Weigh your plum mixture (write this number down), and transfer it to a LARGE saucepan ( you'd be amazed how much they can rise up the sides when you boil them and you really don't want plum and sugar overflow all over your stove!)
4. Soften the plums on the stove - they won't really soften further once you have added the sugar.
5. Weigh out the same amount of sugar as the weight of the plums.
6. Once the plums are soft and in small enough pieces (I sometimes help them along with a masher), pour in your sugar, mix it until dissolved, and wait for the mixture to come to the boil.
7. Boil rapidly for around 10-15 mins - the time will be longer, the more plums you are using.
8. Test to see whether it has reached the 'setting point' by dropping some onto a saucer and leaving it for a few minutes. If it wrinkles up when you push it with your finger, it should set nicely. If not, boil for a bit longer and try again.
9. Pour from the pan into a large jug, and from the jug into jars - right up to the top so there is very little air left in.
10. Immediately screw the lids on and put to one side. YUM!
These make fabulous presents, particularly in small jars ( no-one wants a litre of jam!), and are a taste of late summer when you open a jar in winter, and have a weather-defying cream tea as the evenings are drawing in.
It's worth saying that under-ripe fruit has the highest levels of pectin, so if you can get to your plum tree before the plums are falling off, your jam will set better.

[@anastasiiatseluiko]

As for someone who’s never made jam before, it turned out perfect! All thanks to your clear instructions and tips! Thank you ❤

[@robertgriffin6499]

I've recently started growing Plums, apples etc. Seems food insecurities are coming around the world. I can't possibly eat all my fruit off 4 trees, so I turned to youtube and found this video. This made it very easy for me. Thanks.

[@donhardy9248]

Best video on plum jam. I really love the casual disposition of the British. In the US, everything is by-the-book. But I'll take tradition and experience over that any-day. Thanks for the instruction.

[@floragarveygardening1864]

How very kind of you, thank you. Hope your jam turns out well!

[@aninternationalbadinfluenc9271]

I have a glut of Victoria's in front of me right now , and it has been a few years since i did a Jam, It's all been about pickled onions and shallots for a little while now... any how felt a little brush up was in order and you achieved with ease, so a big "Thank You" for a great job. well done,

[@louisemcmahon4195]

You were great. Easy to follow instructions, very natural. Thanks

[@moniqueogarr9559]

Wonderful educational video. Lovely lady! Really enjoyed this video and am keen to make my plum jam now! Thanks for sharing your knowledge! : )

[@floragarveygardening1864]

How very kind of you! I hope it works out..

[@sharnndurning7952]

Thankyou so much . I could listen to your voice all day . Plus you answered every question that popped in my head . ❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@floragarveygardening1864]

Ah that’s kind! I think I sound so incredibly posh 🙄. I hope your jam turned out well!

[@shellyholland102]

Best plum jam tutorial i've seen, thanks!

[@floragarveygardening1864]

Really kind of you, thank you!

[@ninjacat4929]

I have already made plum jam but it is too runny . I was wondering if it would be ok if I put it back in a pot to give it another boil after I have bottled it and cooled it .If anyone knows I would be grateful for an opinion.

[@mikethompson5549]

Great video ❤. About to make my 1st ever plum jam. Thanks for uploading your easy to follow video.

[@CM-py4hf]

Came here for a refresher having made damson jam many years ago, the stone picking in that was tedious. Thanks for video will be doing garden grown Victoria plum jam later.

[@floragarveygardening1864]

Yes Damsons are very tedious aren’t they! I have a German made plum and damson destoner which smashes through the middle of the plum, pushing the stone out with it. Wasteful and messy but much quicker…

[@chumleyk]

GOOD LORD WHAT A STOVE

[@annabee1984]

Excellent and easy to follow. Jam turned out really well. Thank you lovely lady. ❤

[@floragarveygardening1864]

Ah hooray! Same principles for all jams - try blackberry next!

[@texazwhyte2791]

Nice one Flora,, thanks! I watched a few vids on plum jam,, yours is the one I’m going to follow.

[@floragarveygardening1864]

AH hooray! Thank you

[@rsb7386]

What a fascinating stove! I wish to learn more about it. There's a portable -type stove called Blackstone that has surfaced in the America's over the last 2-3 years that appears quite similar. It's operated with liquid gas.

[@nahlamshasha1868]

Thank you

[@count69]

Great video perfect thanks!

[@debbiebolam8722]

Thank you! Making it as we speak xxx

[@floragarveygardening1864]

I hope it worked out well! We’re enjoying ours!

[@mikepovey4919]

That was brilliant thank you. I will now attempt plum jam 👍👍

[@floragarveygardening1864]

Ah good luck!

[@davescupper5789]

You should be on telly

[@floragarveygardening1864]

Very kind of you! Flo

[@a.j.b.8658]

I love this lady too! Very informative and easy to understand 👏

[@shannonpowell1893]

You are just lovely :) thankyou!!

[@floragarveygardening1864]

Oh thank you!

[@Jessie-vy6tm]

oh wow, where did you get that amazing ss citrus juicer?

[@floragarveygardening1864]

So sorry, I can’t remember but I don’t think it’s anything special! Possibly even Sainsbury’s!

[@kiikiinpiink]

What kind of stove is that 😍

[@floragarveygardening1864]

He he, it’s an EVERHOT, and we’ve just put it up for sale, as it just uses too much electricity - sad times - we really love it ….

[@anndoyle7105]

Can I use orange juice instead of lemon juice

[@floragarveygardening1864]

You could use orange juice, but the purpose of the lemon juice is to provide some acid. Pectin requires both heat and acidity in order to make jam set (this is part of the reason that slightly underripe fruits make jams with the best sets). You can also use a small amount of vinegar if you haven’t got a lemon to hand!

[@hephzibah4675]

Is it possible to do jam without sugar.

[@floragarveygardening1864]

You can make something resembling jam, but it won’t keep without sugar - the sugar inhibits bacterial and fungal growth, which is why making jam was a way of preserving fruits. For a low sugar jam, just make a smaller amount, and either keep it in the fridge, or freeze it 😊

[@Joe-do1zt]

Mine is staying runny?

[@floragarveygardening1864]

Oh bad luck - sometimes that happens😞. Your particular plums were likely low in pectin. if you have the energy, try re boiling with extra pectin (liquid is best to add at this stage, as the powdered ones form horrible clumps). You could also add some extra acid in the form of lemon juice or cider vinegar.. Otherwise use it to stir into yoghurt!

[@breadoflifeministries01]

Plums seem to be very unripe

[@adelavulcan1704]

The amount of sugar 😮…..

[@floragarveygardening1864]

Yes it’s horrifying isn’t it! Jam is definitely for treats only..😳