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Orange Jam

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4.3 from 72 reviews

This vibrant and flavorful orange jam recipe captures the bright, sunny essence of fresh citrus, enhanced by optional warm spices like cinnamon, star anise, and cloves. Easy to make on the stovetop, this jam offers a perfect balance of sweetness and spice, ideal for spreading on toast or adding to desserts.

Ingredients

Scale

Jam Ingredients

  • 3 lbs oranges, peeled and with as much white pith removed as possible (about 5 cups puree)
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 12 cinnamon sticks (optional)
  • 12 star anise (optional)
  • 12 cloves (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Oranges: Peel the oranges carefully, removing as much of the white pith as possible to avoid bitterness, then roughly chop or prepare for pureeing.
  2. Puree the Oranges: Use an immersion blender or a regular blender to puree the peeled oranges until smooth, creating roughly 5 cups of fresh orange puree.
  3. Combine Ingredients and Heat: Transfer the orange puree into a saucepan and add the sugar along with the optional cinnamon sticks, star anise, and cloves for a subtle warm spice flavor.
  4. Simmer the Jam: Heat the mixture over moderate heat, allowing it to simmer gently for 20-30 minutes. Stir occasionally and test the consistency by placing a small amount on a chilled plate; it should thicken to a jam-like texture.
  5. Jar the Jam: Pour the finished orange jam into sterilized canning jars. You can store the jam directly in the refrigerator for short-term use or process the jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes to preserve for longer shelf life.

Notes

  • Removing as much pith as possible is important to prevent bitterness in the jam.
  • Adjust the amount of sugar according to your taste preference and the natural sweetness of the oranges.
  • Spices are optional but add a lovely depth of flavor; feel free to omit if you prefer a pure orange taste.
  • Always use sterilized jars and lids if you choose to process the jam for canning.
  • Test the jam’s consistency by chilling a small amount on a plate to see if it gels properly.