Homemade Jams - Seasonal Fruits & Berries from the Local Market
Our favourite jam berries are - Strawberry, nìsperos, blueberry, cherry and raspberry (mixed).
Ingredients:
1 kg ripe berries and fruits of your choice, peeled, pitted, and chopped.
250/ 300 g granulated sugar (reduced sugar, if you wish to have sweeter just add).
Optional. 8 g vanilla sugar
Juice of 1 lemon
Optional: 2–3 tbsp water if the fruit is very dry
✅ This version contains about 50% less sugar than typical jam recipes, as the fruit itself is so sweet. It will have a fresher, fruitier taste but may be slightly looser in texture.
Instructions:
Sterilize the jars
Wash your canning jars and lids with hot, soapy water.
Place the jars in a pot of boiling water for 10 minutes or run them through a hot dishwasher cycle (no soap).
Prepare the fruit:
Peel, pit, and roughly chop the fruits. Discard seeds and skins if it´s a fruit with thick skin.
If the fruit starts to brown, squeeze in some lemon juice to slow oxidation.
Cook the jam:
In a large pot, combine the fruit, granulated sugar, vanilla sugar, and lemon juice.
Let sit 15–30 minutes to macerate (helps release juices).
Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat.
Reduce heat and simmer for 30- 45 minutes, stirring often.
Mash or blend lightly if you want a smoother texture.
Skim any foam and test thickness by putting a spoonful on a cold plate.
Fill the jars:
Using a funnel, ladle hot jam into sterilized jars, leaving 0.5 cmheadspace at the top.
Wipe jar rims clean with a damp cloth.
Apply lids and screw on rings until fingertip-tight.
Cool & store:
Place jars on a towel or rack to cool completely .
Check seals by pressing the lid center—it should not flex.
Label and store in a cool, dark place. Refrigerate after opening. As it’s so warm in Nerja we always put them directly into fridge.
Because raspberries are naturally quite tart and not as sweet as many other fruits, we love mixing them with sweeter favourites like strawberries, blueberries, cherries or peaches. It creates a beautifully balanced flavour while keeping the sugar content lower. If you prefer a pure raspberry jam, you may simply need to add more sugar or honey to taste.
Made with real fruit, less sugar and no unnecessary additives, homemade jam is a healthier choice—and every jar helps support our local farmers and markets.
