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Flavorful Plum Jam Recipe with Star Anise Easy Small Batch Method

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A cozy small batch plum jam infused with the subtle warmth of star anise, perfect for savoring the season with a sweet-tart balance and a hint of spice.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds (900 g) fresh plums, pitted and chopped
  • 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) fresh lemon juice
  • 2 whole star anise pods
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) water
  • Optional: pinch of ground cinnamon
  • Optional: natural pectin

Instructions

  1. Wash, pit, and chop about 2 pounds (900 g) of fresh plums into small chunks. No need to peel.
  2. Place the chopped plums, 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons (30 ml) lemon juice, 1/4 cup (60 ml) water, and 2 star anise pods into a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Stir gently to mix.
  3. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Let plums start breaking down and mixture become syrupy (10-15 minutes).
  4. As the plums soften, gently mash the fruit with a potato masher or back of a spoon to release more pectin and thicken. Keep stirring to avoid burning (5 minutes).
  5. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 20-25 minutes until jam thickens and star anise infuses flavor. The jam should coat the back of a spoon without running off quickly.
  6. Test the jam set by placing a small spoonful on a chilled plate and tilting it. If it wrinkles and holds shape, it is ready. If not, simmer a few minutes longer and test again.
  7. Remove and discard the star anise pods.
  8. Ladle the hot jam into sterilized small jars, leaving about 1/4 inch (6 mm) headspace. Wipe rims clean and seal tightly. Let cool to room temperature before refrigerating.

Notes

Use ripe but firm plums for best texture. Stir frequently to prevent scorching. Whole star anise pods provide subtle flavor and should be removed before jarring. Test jam set with chilled plate method. Jam thickens more as it cools. For smoother jam, strain after simmering. Can reduce sugar and add chia seeds for low-sugar version. Frozen plums can be used if thawed and drained. Store refrigerated up to 3 weeks or freeze for longer storage.

Nutrition

Keywords: plum jam, star anise jam, small batch jam, homemade jam, fruit preserves, easy jam recipe, plum preserves, jam with star anise

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