Apple Spice Jam

Sugar and Spice and everything nice about Apples! There are a lot of wonderful historical tales depicting how the spice trade impacted the culinary history of the world. As expected, people have learned to integrate spices in both savory and sweet recipes. Much has also been said about the history of spiced apples. Some would associate it with Arabic or Middle Eastern recipes, others would insist Vietnamese and Sri Lankan cinnamon were some of the earliest spices to be mixed with apples.

 

Nevertheless, people don’t need to be justified about the true origins of spiced apples. The warm, spicy, sweet, and comforting flavors just remind us of a lovely autumn day while we wait for our mothers or grandmothers to serve their delicious apple pies, cakes, or even muffins. We can smell the waft from the oven here.

Apple Spice Jam Trivia

• The Greeks and Romans were extremely fond of Apples. The Greeks often used Golden Apples in their mythologies. The famous Golden Apple of Discord started the Trojan War.
• Apples and spices go well together. Cinnamon is the spice most commonly paired with apples. However, you can also use other spices such as Nutmeg, Cloves, and Anise; herbs such as Rosemary and Sage also add aromas and flavors to Apples.

Apple Spice Jam Buying Guide

Apple spice jam is available as commercial products in grocery stores or your local artisan food shops, stalls, and displays. When buying apple spice jam, it won’t hurt to ask for a sample. Smell the apple spice jam first to identify whether a couple of artificial ingredients were used in the production process. It also wouldn’t hurt if you could ask for a taste test. Apple spice jams should have the natural flavor combinations of the apples and spices. It should be free from a chemical or metallic aftertaste.

 

Apple Spice Jam Production & Farming in Texas

Apple varieties such as Granny Smith, SweeTango Apples, and Pink Lady are the best apples for jam production. Granny Smith and Pink Lady apples grow excellently in Texas especially during late September to early October. Apple trees are very sturdy and can be grown in most areas of the Lone Star State. Apples need a lot of sunlight to grow. This makes Texas one of the best states to grow Apples for a large production. Choose the best areas with plenty of sunlight and good drainage.

 

Preservatives and Chemicals

Pectin is a common ingredient for jams, jellies, and preserves. It is available in natural and artificial varieties. However, people would choose to use artificial pectin since it is much easier to obtain than just rely on natural fruit pectin.

 

Packaging

When making apple spice jams, be sure to store them in sterilized glass containers. Before canning the jam, check the glass jars and discard those with cracks or chipped edges. Do not use metal lids with rust since they will be unsafe for canning production.

 

We would love to see your homemade apple spice jam in beautiful glass jars. You can add some ribbons and stickers to elevate the look. Always remember to include the date of production when giving away apple spice jam as a gift. This would also serve as additional information for your consumers and they will know when to best consume it before it spoils.

 

Enjoying Apple Spice Jam

Apple spice jam is one of the most delicious and aromatic preserves you can make during the apple season. Apple spice jam is a great accompaniment for plain, buttered, and toasted bread paired with brewed coffee or a slightly sweet, warm latte for a great breakfast. It can also be a great filling for cinnamon apple muffins, apple cupcakes, apple rhubarb cake, and the classic apple pie.

 

Apple spice jam works well with meat, especially pork. It can be mixed in the meat baste along with other complementary flavors. Apple spice jam can also work as a component for charcuterie boards, cheese boards, and as a sauce for canapés and other open sandwiches.

 

Storage

There are two simple rules for storing jams: Unopened bottles of jam can be stored at room temperature and opened bottles of jam should always be refrigerated. Unopened bottles of apple spice jam can be stored at room temperature for up to six to 12 months, depending on its sugar content and the cooking process.

 

Once opened, the apple spice jam must be refrigerated at all times. When properly stored, it can last either from 6 to 8 months or 8 to 12 months, depending on its sugar content. Once you take it out from the fridge for eating, never let it sit at room temperature for one to three hours and keep it away from direct sunlight as it can change the color and flavor of the jam.

 

 

Cooking

APPLE SPICE JAM

 

Ingredients

5 cups Apple Chopped (around 8- 10 apples)

5 ½ cups Sugar adjust based on how sweet or sour the apples are

1 pouch Fruit pectin ball or sure jell

1 ½ cup Water

2 tsp Cinnamon –

1 tsp Ground cloves

½ tsp Nutmeg

½ tsp Allspice

 

Preparation

1. Prepare the apples – core and peel the apples. Chop the apple into small pieces.
2. Cook them in a pressure cooker or in heavy bottom pot with 1 cup of water. Crush the apples depending on how chunky you want the jam/preserve to be. I have cooked them in pressure cooker as well on stove top.
3. Take the cooked apples in heavy bottom stock pot. Slowly stir in the pectin and let it combine well. Bring the mixture to a full rolling boil (boil that cannot be stirred down) over high heat, stirring constantly.
4. Now add the entire measure of the sugar, stirring constantly. Add all the spices and let it boil well.
5. Again bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Boil hard for an entire minute, stirring constantly.
6. After about 5 mins, ladle the hot jam into containers and leave it undisturbed for around 12 hrs. If after 12 hours the jam has not set, leave it for another 12 hrs. After this transfer the containers to the refrigerator.
7. The Apple jam can be canned as well. Follow the directions for sealing the jar as per the manufacturer’s instructions.