Storing Jam and Marmalade | Ask Nigella.com (2024)

Full question

My mother always put a quarter of a tablet on the top of the waxed paper on marmalade and jam before storing it. I would like to know what the tablet was and did this prevent or reduce the amount of mould etc. She kept some jams for years! Is there a modern equivalent?

Our answer

We would guess that your mother may have been using Campden tablets in her jars of jam. Campden tablets (sodium metabisulphite) are usually used in home brewing and wine-making to kill certain bacteria and inhibit fermenatation of sugars by yeast. It is not something we would recommend for home preserves. First, one tablet can treat up 1 gallon of wine must must or 20 gallons of water and so even a small part of a tablet would be far too strong for a jar of jam. Second it would probably need to be added to the jam to really be effective and could affect the flavour of the jam.

To keep home-made jam or marmalade you need to make sure that the jars are properly sterilized before using. Wash the jars in warm, soapy water then rise them with and dry them with a clean tea towel. Transfer the jars to a cool oven (140c/275F) for 10 minutes before filling with the warm jam. If you are using a ladle to transfer the jam from the pan to the jars then dip the bowl of the ladle in the jam just after it has finished boiling to sterilize the ladle. You can use special wax discs on the surface of the jam to help reduce the exposure of the jam to air. Some people also suggest a thin layer of an alcoholic spirit (eg whisky) can be poured on the surface of the jam to reduce the chance of the jam spoiling, though we have not tested this method and it may not be suitable for everyone to eat.

Home-made jam should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct light and used within 12 months of making. Once opened the jar should be stored in the refrigerator and used within one month. We would suggest discarding any jars of jam that have mould growing on top.

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Storing Jam and Marmalade | Ask Nigella.com (2024)

FAQs

Storing Jam and Marmalade | Ask Nigella.com? ›

Home-made jam should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct light and used within 12 months of making. Once opened the jar should be stored in the refrigerator and used within one month. We would suggest discarding any jars of jam that have mould growing on top.

How do you store jam and marmalade? ›

Raspberries, strawberries and blackberries work well in uncooked freezer jam recipes. Uncooked jams must be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. They'll last for several weeks in the refrigerator and up to a year in the freezer. Once you open the container, keep refrigerated and use the jam within 2-3 weeks.

Does homemade marmalade need to be refrigerated? ›

Once the jars have cooled, it's best to store them in a cool, dark place—no excessive light or heat. Stored properly, the marmalade will last up to one year. Once you open a jar, store it in the refrigerator, where it will keep for up to 3 months.

How long does homemade jam and marmalade last? ›

Here's how long homemade jam lasts: For homemade jam, using sugar and processed by canning in a hot water bath, you can expect to get about two years of shelf life when stored in a cool, dry place. Once opened, keep your homemade jam in the refrigerator for up to three months.

Does jam really need to be refrigerated? ›

Sealed jars of homemade preserves can also be stored at room temperature. Once the jam or jelly is opened, however, it is best to refrigerate them. Richard explains that this prevents mold and yeast from growing. If not refrigerated, opened jams and jellies are likely to spoil quicker.

Where is the best place to store marmalade? ›

Surprisingly, jam and marmalade is best stored in the kitchen cupboard, not in the fridge.

Can you store marmalade in Tupperware? ›

You can just store the finished jam in the refrigerator (in jars or even in Tupperware), where it will keep for many months.

How do you increase the shelf life of homemade jam? ›

A low-sugar jam will, therefore, have a shorter shelf life due to its high water content. The trick to preserving your jam for as long as possible is to keep it in the refrigerator, whether it is unopened or opened. The cold slows down the proliferation of bacteria and allows you to savor your jam for a longer period.

Should you keep jam in the fridge or cupboard? ›

To protect the shelf-life and quality of your jams and jellies, it's best to store them in the refrigerator. The cold temperature will significantly slow down the growth of microorganisms, according to Alvin Lee, Ph. D., associate professor of food and nutrition at Illinois Institute of Technology.

How to stop marmalade from going mouldy? ›

Home-made jam should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct light and used within 12 months of making. Once opened the jar should be stored in the refrigerator and used within one month. We would suggest discarding any jars of jam that have mould growing on top.

How to tell if jam has gone bad? ›

- Unpleasant or off smell. - Changes in texture, such as becoming runnier or forming lumps. - Altered taste, which may be sour or fermented. If you notice any of these signs, it's best to discard the jam and not consume it.

Should peanut butter be refrigerated after opening? ›

According to The National Peanut Board, an unopened jar of peanut butter can last six to nine months at room temperature. Once opened, they say that it can last two to three months in the pantry before you should move it to the fridge, where it can maintain quality for another three to four months.

Does jam go inside or outside the fridge? ›

With both jam and jelly, spoiling is likely to occur more quickly if left out at room temperature. No matter which spread you prefer, storing it in the fridge will not only lengthen its shelf life but also maintain its flavor and color.

Where do you store freshly made jam? ›

Store In A Cool, Dark Place

If they've been boiled and preserved in the right way, bacteria is unlikely to grow in the jar, so there's no need to keep it chilled. Instead, store it in your kitchen cupboard. To make sure your jams stay free from contamination, always use a clean knife or spoon to dip into your jar.

Should marmalade be stored in the fridge or cupboard? ›

Once opened the jar should be stored in the refrigerator and used within one month. We would suggest discarding any jars of jam that have mould growing on top.

Does jam go in the fridge or pantry? ›

To protect the shelf-life and quality of your jams and jellies, it's best to store them in the refrigerator. The cold temperature will significantly slow down the growth of microorganisms, according to Alvin Lee, Ph. D., associate professor of food and nutrition at Illinois Institute of Technology.

Can I store jam in plastic containers? ›

Glass jars, the type you use for canning or even cleaned jars that previously held store-bought jam, are great. McClellan also likes lidded Pyrex containers. You can even use plastic so long as you let the jam cool first before pouring it in to avoid melting anything. A refrigerator jam isn't going to last forever.

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