Guava Jam
Guava jam is a simple yet tasteful jam that is a perfect addition to your jam collection. With 3 ingredients, you can try this recipe at home and enjoy the distinct guava flavor.
If you have a sweet tooth, you will definitely have a place in your heart for jams. Jams are a delicious way to satisfy your sugar craving and enjoy the flavors of different fruits.
We all love jams like strawberry, apple, cherry, raspberry, etc., and even tart ones like Kumquat Marmalade, but guava is a fruit not many of us know of. So today, I am going to share a unique jam recipe. Jamaican and Mexican people particularly love this jam, made with a fruit we absolutely love.
This recipe is impressive but is super simple. I know you will enjoy this amazingly delicious and pleasant flavored breakfast staple, made from fresh guava with just three ingredients.
So, if you love trying different fruit jams at home, try this Jamaican guava jam recipe now, and I am pretty sure you will love it.
What is guava?
Guava is a fantastic fruit that falls in the tropical fruit category. The fruit is native to Caribbean, Mexican, and Central and Southern American lands. Some people know about this fruit because of its leaves. The guava leaves are known for their several medicinal and herbal properties.
They are often the main ingredient of certain herbal teas. However, the fruit itself is pretty tasteful. It is a sweet and delightful flavor. It is usually oval or round in shape.
The skin color ranges from yellow to light green. The fruit has seeds in the center that are edible. The fruit is widely used in the Caribbean, Mexican and Asian cuisine; however, it has recently made its way to the rest of the world because of its unique and delicious flavor and pleasant aroma.
What to look for when buying guava?
Just like any other fruit or vegetable, you have to keep in mind a few things when buying it. Here is what you should keep in mind when buying guava for the right flavor and texture:
- Color: First of all, when buying guava from a grocery store or farmer’s market, the first thing you will notice is the color. Now the color of this fruit ranges from yellow to green. However, primarily yellow guava are the ones that are ripe. So, it is better to choose the ones that are yellow in color. Moreover, sometimes, the skin of guava also has a pinkish hue. That doesn’t mean the fruit is up ripe. It’s just nature’s way of making the fruit beautiful, so don’t get alarmed! There are also different types of guava, check out White Guava and Yellow Guava.
- Texture: Now, most fruits should be firm to touch; guava is the opposite. Perfectly ripe and tasteful guava will be soft to touch. You can exert pressure using your thumb when holding the fruit; if it seems soft and pulpy, it means it is ready to enjoy. Hard guava means it is unripe and might need a few days in the open air.
- Blemish-free: Another rule of thumb when buying fruit is that it should be blemish-free, bruises free and without slits. The same goes for guava.
- Aroma: You can tell a lot about fruit from its aroma. Of course, a foul smell clearly indicates the fruit has gone bad or is rotten. However, when it comes to guava, it has an intensely fruity and sweet scent. The riper it is, the stronger the aroma will be. So, you can rely on your nose when picking up the fruit as well.
How to make Jamaican guava jam?
Making Jamaican guava jam at home is super easy. The process is straightforward and effortless. You just need three main ingredients for this recipe, guavas, water, and coconut sugar. Here are the simple steps you have to follow:
Step 1: Start by washing the guavas to get rid of the dirt, remove the leaves and stem, and cut the crown using a sharp knife. Now cut the guava into small pieces. Don’t remove the seeds, as they are edible, and will be removed later.
Step 2: Now, add the guava pieces to the saucepan and pour water on top. Place the saucepan on medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Let it simmer for about 20 minutes so that the fruit is soft and almost mushy.
Step 3: Place a strainer over a large bowl and pour this mixture into it. Wait till all the liquid is strained. You can use the back of a spoon to get the pulp through the strainer. This will leave behind seeds, and all the goodness will go into the bowl.
Step 4: Pour the strained liquid back into the saucepan and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 30 minutes or until it starts to thicken up.
Step 5: Once done, remove it from the heat and follow the canning process given below. The guava jam is ready!
How to preserve guava jam (canning process)?
The best way to preserve any jam is through the canning process. If you think following this process at home is difficult, think again! The process is fairly simple if you know the right way. Here is how you can preserve your homemade guava jam through the process of canning:
Step 1: The first step is to sterilize the jars. You can do that by boiling them for about 5 minutes. Don’t forget to boil the lids as well. Boiling is the oldest way of sterilizing utensils. The high temperature of water kills the bacteria, thus sterilizing the utensils.
Step 2: Next, you have to fill the guava jam in the jars. Now, you can put hot jam in hot sterilized jars, no problem! However, make sure you take care of your hands. You wouldn’t want to burn them. When filling the jars with jam, make sure you don’t fill them entirely. There should be about ½ inch space. This will prove to be beneficial for the canning process.
Step 3: Next, wipe the jar rims clean so that any trace of jam is removed. This will also protect the guava from spoiling and will prolong its life.
Step 4: Now, you have to prepare the water bath for the canning process. You can do that by placing a large pot on medium heat. Add water to it. Make sure you fill it enough so that the jars are almost submerged in it.
Step 5: Place the jars carefully in water. Let the water boil for about 15 to 20 minutes.
Step 6: Turn off the heat and let the jars sit in water for about 5 minutes. Carefully remove them from the water bath, and the canning process is complete.
Step 7: You can place the guava jam jars in your kitchen pantry now or gift them to someone. Once you open the jar, put it in the refrigerator. It will last for up to a week in the refrigerator.
How to serve guava jam?
There are so many different ways you can enjoy guava jam! Here are a few to name:
- On toast: The easiest way to enjoy any jam is by spreading it on toast. So, do the same with guava jam! Enjoy it on your toast any time of the day, and I bet you will love the flavor.
- Bagels: I love to spread guava jam on a bagel. It goes so well with it. Try it too!
- As for topping: You can use guava jam as a topping to op up your cakes, cupcakes, donuts, or even ice creams.
- As filling: You can use the guava jam as a filling to fill up your desserts like cupcakes, etc.
Other Spreads To Prepare
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Guava Jam
Equipment
- 1 saucepan
Ingredients
- 1 pound guava
- 1 cup organic cane sugar or 1/2 cup coconut sugar plus 1/2 cup coconut sugar
- 4 1/2 cups water
Instructions
- Wash the guavas and pat them dry.
- Remove the crown and cut it into small pieces.
- Place the guava pieces in a saucepan and pour water on top.
- Place the saucepan on medium heat and bring it to a boil.
- Reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes, remove the saucepan from heat. Let the guava cool down a bit.
- Place a Strainer in a large bowl and pour the mixture on top.
- Let the mixture strain and discard the residue.
- Pour the liquid back into the saucepan and add sugar and/or coconut sugar.
- Bring it to a boil and reduce the heat to let it simmer for about 30 minutes or until the mixture thickens up.
- Pour the mixture into sterilized jars, do the canning procedure, and store.
Wow looks so good