Jam making with/out Citric Acid

Little_Belle

I am going to be making some jams with fruit I picked and froze in the summer, my recipe book calls for citric acid, I am having great difficulty in buying it and dont live anywhere near a wilkinsons (already been suggested there)

I have read that the citric acid helps the jelly set, is that its only purpose? in which case can i use lemon juice in its place? or better still I bought a bottle of pectin on a whim a while back would that be a suitable replacement?

Thank you all

squeaky

Little_Belle wrote: »

I am going to be making some jams with fruit I picked and froze in the summer, my recipe book calls for citric acid, I am having great difficulty in buying it and dont live anywhere near a wilkinsons (already been suggested there)

I have read that the citric acid helps the jelly set, is that its only purpose? in which case can i use lemon juice in its place? or better still I bought a bottle of pectin on a whim a while back would that be a suitable replacement?

Thank you all

Yep, either should do; though it's true to say that not all fruits need them, but those that need it really need it.

This thread may be of help...

Jam making help for 1st timer

Otherwise - here's a list of threads that cover making jam:-

jam threads here on MoneySaving Old Style

Seakay

Also, be aware that freezing can affect the setting ability of fruit. I've not investigated it enough to be able to say categorically that freezing destroys pectin, but I froze some crab apple juice one year and 6 months later it would not gel at all.
I would definitely use lemon juice or pectin in your recipe if you cannot get hold of citric acid (some chemists sell the latter, if you happen to have one near you.)

Little_Belle

Ok, will bear that in mind so how much pectin would you use in place of a teaspoon of citric acid?

freyasmum

I am a fool, please ignore :A

Citrus fruits contain high levels of citric acid, so are good for jam making. Either add a bit of lemon peel to your jam (if the taste will go) or some of your pectin. Some fruits are naturally high in pectin and so won't require any extra

Caterina

You can also cook cores and peels of apples (hopefully not sprayed) and add the liquid to the fruit to make a pectin-rich jam. Or just add a small chopped lemon to the whole thing, it should do the trick.

I find jam is really an experimental activity, never been able to make two batches with same taste and consistency, but only once had a disaster (I burnt the quinces that's why!).

Happy jam-making!

avinabacca

squeaky wrote: »

Quantum Mechanics: The dreams stuff is made of.

Signature of the year - no question. Well done there, sir!!!!! :T

Penelope_Penguin

freyasmum wrote: »

I believe you can only buy citric acid from a pharmacist, and even at that it will be difficult - drug users used to buy it to mix with their drugs, so any genuine people will be given 20 questions :eek:

Really :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: I've bought it from Boots before now, and it's easily avalilable on eBay

I've never used it for jam - lemon juice does the trick for fruit low in pectin (such as strawberry and marrow).

Penny. x

freyasmum

Penelope_Penguin wrote: »

Really :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: I've bought it from Boots before now, and it's easily avalilable on eBay

I've never used it for jam - lemon juice does the trick for fruit low in pectin (such as strawberry and marrow).

Penny. x

Erm... I may have been getting confused with tartaric acid :A

I do apologise I shall edit....

[My mum wanted it for something and she went into a pharmacy and she was interogated! Later she was speaking to my cousin, who is a pharmacist, and he told her that's why - her face was a picture ]

Penelope_Penguin

freyasmum wrote: »

Erm... I may have been getting confused with tartaric acid :A

Doubt it tartaric acid is even more widely available - you can get that in Tesco

Penny. x

freyasmum

Penelope_Penguin wrote: »

Doubt it tartaric acid is even more widely available - you can get that in Tesco

Penny. x

oh for heavens' sake!

It was one of them, I promise

*slinks away....*