Loquat Jam

[kezza]

Had a go at making this jam and it seems to have worked!

I had two cups of loquats once I had taken the stones out and blitzed.  I added some water to just cover the loquats, as per a recipe JD gave me on a link, and cooked that for 5 mins 100degrees speed 1.

Then I added the juice and rind of 1 lemon and then 3/4 cup sugar for every cup of loquat - so in this case 1 1/2 cups of raw sugar.  I also decided to add a 1/2 tspn of Heilala Vanilla paste.

I then cooked it 100 degrees for 30mins speed 1.  It was still not thick enough, so I did it for another 30mins speed 2 and it thickened a lot quicker on the speed 2.  All in all I think I cooked for about 65 mins, but will use speed 2 from the beginning next time.  It is really tasty - quite sweet, so could adjust that if you are looking for less sweetness and more tart.

[judydawn]

Well done Kerry.  I wonder though if you had turned the temp up to Varoma after the initial cooking whether this would have thickened it even quicker?

[kezza]

You are probably right there JD.  I'll try that next time.  I was also wondering whether I needed to add the water, because I noticed with other fruits you don't.  But I followed the initial recipe.  I'm just glad I have something we can eat! It probably could have been thicker, but hey, it's quite lovely the way it is.  Thought I might make some little butterfly cakes with it.

[faffa_70]

I followed another recipe for jam once that had water added. It was bit of a failure so the next batch I left it out and it was perfect. Think I also cooked it on varoma for about 10 min at the end.

[Aussie Brenda]

My loquat tree is loaded, they aren't ready yet but apart from standing at the tree and gorging myself I have never done anything else with them.  I will try some jam.

[kezza]

Thanks faffa, I think I will definitely leave the water out next time.
Aussie Brenda please have a go and let us know how it went.

[Maribel]

OK, going to be brave and give this recipe a go - our tree has finally come into fruit after a couple severe pruning...wish me luck.  Will be following all the great tips on this convo!   

[kezza]

Yay Maribel - I'm glad you are going to have a go.  I really enjoyed my jam,

[Wonder]

Where is the recipe for this am? The tree next door to us is full and allying in our yard.

[kezza]

Wonder, I haven't posted 'recipe' as such, just read the posts and you will get the idea of what to do.  I just read some jam posts and used the loquats.  Good luck!

[Wonder]

Mezzanine did you take the seeds out before you cooked them?

[Aussie Brenda]

Just  revisited this as my Loquats are ready again and I have actually picked some , I will make jam tomorrow.  Thinking that some strawberries and Loquats would be nice together

[kezza]

How did the jam go AB?

[Aussie Brenda]

The jam is very nice a little bit runny so I put in half a pkt of jam setter,  I always cut the sugar down so I used half the amount of sugar to weight of fruit, it was a bit of a pain, I peeled and stones them before I put them in the bowl.  I made three jars and although I have plenty left I'm over it,  yesterday I made strawberry and mango jam,  I will probably give most of it away we don't eat much jam.  Just like cooking and hate wasting fruit.

[kezza]

Yes, the peeling and taking the stones out is definitely a pain!