The blueberries have been really good this summer – fat and juicy, with a delicious aroma. So I decided to try making jam. My Man of Many Talents gave it 9 out of 10 points…. the last point being detracted because he thinks my Strawberry Jam is better! 😀
Blueberry and Vanilla Jam
- 1kg (2 lbs) fresh blueberries
- 500g (1 lb) preserving sugar (extra high pectin, called 2:1 here in Germany)
- 1 cup water
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 vanilla pod
Mix the blueberries and sugar and 1 cup of water and leave to macerate for a couple of hours, or even overnight. Add the lemon juice, vanilla seeds AND the vanilla pod. (You can remove it right at the end).
In a very large pot, bring to the boil. Then cook on a rolling boil for at least 5 minutes, stirring now and then. Mine set very quickly, but you may need to cook it for longer. Do the gelling test by putting a spoonful on a very cold plate (from the fridge) and if it sets straight away it’s done. Otherwise cook a little longer and repeat the test until it’s gelled nicely.
Remove the vanilla pod. Pour into sterilized jars – using a jam funnel – right to the brim. Seal and turn upside down to create a vacuum. After a couple of hours you can turn them right way up again and leave to cool completely.
Have you made any jam this summer?
Another jam recipe coming up soon. 😉
Words and Herbs 
The labels on your enchanting Blueberry Jam are just as scrumptious as your tasty jam! I’m not sure if I could choose between homemade strawberry or blueberry…..and then there is apricot!
I made apricot a few years ago, but prefer the others… nectarine and apple is good too, and I’m posting that one next. 😀
Looks good. Any suggestions for something special for blackberries? It’s blackberry season here at Ladybird Lane 🙂
Add them to muffins! I have never tried making jam with them, as we don’t have that many near us.
Thanks. I’ll give muffins a try.
Blueberries are a favorite in my house. Adding the vanilla sounds awesome.
The two flavours go well, and vanilla in blueberry sauce is also tasty. 😀
Looks as sweet as I bet it is! Been so tired but miss you. Glad I got my 2ND wind 🙂
You’re right – very sweet. It’s good to hear from you, as always Eunice! 😀
🙂
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I’d read anything about blueberries. I love blueberry muffins and jams. 🙂
I love them in cakes and muffins too! Thanks for stopping by.
Sounds yummy, I love blueberries, but as you will probably guess….I must stay true to strawberry! I would love to have a taste test of both….the best of both worlds is good.
I have never made jam but my mom makes the best raspberry jam. One of these days I should hang around her kitchen when she is making it and glean some of that jam magic.
I love making jam, but it always seems to be too hot when the fruits are in season. I bet your Mum’s raspberry jam is tasty…. you know I have a weakness for raspberries, but have never tried making raspberry jam. Maybe because the raspberries never last long enough to get in the jam pan! 😉 Hope your Mum can spare you a jar of hers. 😀
Your jam sounds so good with vanilla in it! I recently had a blueberry/lavender jam made by a friend and it was yummy as it only had a hint of lavender, not overpowering. I made blackberry jam last month. If I don’t have enough homemade jam to make it through the winter I have to go into hibernation….I love jam!
Now that does sound very good with lavender. I’ll have to try that next year. Our strawberry jam has already been rationed to make it last until next spring. 😉 My Mum used to make a very clear blackberry jelly, straining the seeds out. It was very good, but took ages to make! Hope you’ve got a good stockpile for this year!
Blueberry jam is one of my favourites but I don’t have a plentiful souce so I can’t make jam. This year I’ve been experimenting with savoury jams including tomato jam and red pepper jam. Do you have a recipe for raspberry jelly by any chance?
Sorry, no raspberry recipes as the raspberries always seem to disappear before I can process them…. 😉 (I think I’m addicted!) Tomato jam sounds good, but I only have one ripe tomato so far, so I may be making green tomato chutney instead!
Sounds delicious. I could never grow Blueberries in my limy soil. I find the special conserving sugar makes much better jam as it makes it with a lower sugar content as less is evaporated by boiling for prolonged periods and the colour is brighter. I have to get started picking some brambles as I always make some bramble jelly but as I’m in denial that autumn is approaching…
That’s why I prefer the preserving sugar too. I’d love to make bramble jelly, but there aren’t many good blackberries near us.
Now your man of many talents should have not been making such comparisons Cathy and should have awarded you full points 🙂 My allotment plot neighbours are delighted with their blueberry crop this year and I’ve read in the papers that it’s a good year for the blueberry crops. No jamming here – raspberries went over when we were on holiday along with strawberries 😦 Will not be going on holiday again in July. I may yet seek out some damsons though.
Plums have done well here this year too. We don’t have trees ourselves, but have generous neighbours, so I may have enough for some jam. 😀
I’ve got fruit in the freezer for jam-making at a later date (hopefully!) but the first on the list is a batch of tomato-basil jam…has to be soon, I’ve got a counter full of tomatoes!
Have never had tomato jam, but tomatoes and basil were made for each other, so it must be tasty. Have fun jamming Marie! 😉
The latest was jam of blackberries and raspberries with currants.
Sounds like a great combination! Yum!
I like the idea of adding vanilla to flavour the jam. Next year my blueberry bushes will be producing lots of fruit (no, really…) so I’ll be coming back to your recipe then!
I hope they do Sarah. Blueberries are such versatile berries and I use them in cakes or muffins too.
Yum! This sounds gorgeous. I’ve had some good blueberries this year too and have been making a quick and easy instant jam in the microwave to have with yoghurt. I need to do something with my apples – perhaps I could make apple jam – does that exist though or would it be apple sauce?! Apologies if you get this comment twice, I’ve been having a few commenting problems!
Only got the comment once Anna. 😀 The recipe I have just posted has got apple in, but only very little. I’m sure apple jelly must be possible, but have never tried it. Look forward to hearing what you do with your harvest. Have fun!
I don’t exactly know where our blueberries come from! They’re not terribly expensive, but they don’t grow well in our area–it’s too hot. So I can buy them and make jam, but it never occurs to me to make jams from a fruit I have to buy. That may be silly, but I’d at least like to bring it home from the Farmer’s Market. The jam looks fabulous…I may need to rethink my strategy! 🙂
I try and get local fruit for jam when I can, but nectarines have to be imported (next recipe). I do stick to seasonal fruit though! I don’t have any fruit in my garden, but get strawberries from the pick-your-own fields and the blueberries are from Bavaria. I prefer home made jam to bought any day! 😀
I’m all over this one too. We just got 20# of blueberries. I had to get them in the freezer to jam later for lack of time but it’s on my to do list. I’ve made shiro (yellow plum) jam so far. One jar I threw some mint in. I also did just a little blueberry basil compote that was an idea from a Seattle jam maker. The blueberry and basil was so good I did an ice cream with it too.
That sounds good – blueberry with basil… my basil is nearly over now with the cool nights so I’ll have to try that next year. Thanks for stopping by Wendy!
And yet another one – aren’t you a busy girl :). But I also love to fill the shelves for autumn and winter. Such a pleasing thing to do.
It is definitely worth the effort – tastes better than bought, but I also enjoy actually making the jam. Like baking bread, it can be very comforting!
Yes, definitely – it always roots me, sort of, and I’m very content making something so useful.
I love blueberries and this looks like blueberry heaven.
Love that expression “blueberry heaven”. LOL!
One of my favorite all time berries. With vanilla sounds devine
Vanilla brings out the warm flavour of the berries. You must try it! Thanks for visiting. 😀