silly question? - cheap sugar?

suzybloo

Have been looking into making lots of jam for the storecupboard to keep us going over the winter, however between the price of fruit and the price of sugar sometimes I wonder if the economics are worth it! I have shopped around for sugar and the prices vary from 93p in Mr T's, to 68p in Poundstretchers for 1kg granulated packets. However I noticed an advert for 15kg costing £8.99 in a newley opened asian/oriental cash and carry - dont mean to stupid but will this be suitable for jam? I have never shopped in an outlet of this kind - can anyone help me out as the cash and carry is 20 miles away and would'nt like to waste time and fuel. many thanks in advance
Suz

buxtonrabbitgreen

I coudn't say about the jam. Can you ask if it is granulated ,as that is fine for jam. The only problem with buying that much sugar at a time might be storing it, as it is coming up to ant season. You would be gutted if you got ants in that much sugar. Pundland does a bag of sugar I think 1.5 kg for £1. hth

bandraoi

How much are you planning to buy?
15kg for £8.99 is 60p a kilo.
You're only saving 8p a kilo over buying it in pound stretcher, on 15k that's £1.20.
It wouldn't cover the fuel of the round trip.

suzybloo

Hi folks thanks for your answers. I will probably buy two lots of 15kg, from the cash and carry - I will phone them and check that its granualated. The cash and carry and poundstretchers are in the same town so if going I would go to the cash and carry - every little helps! We have different types of berries on our doorstep as we are in the main soft fruit growing area of Scotland,(Blairgowrie) so making jam couldn't be easier. Fingers crossed the dry weather will continue - the jams sets better!
cheers
Suz

thriftlady_2

I find jam making only to be really money-saving if made with free fruit. I made loads of raspberry jam one year and had to buy the raspberries. It was expensive. Now, I make small batches (3-4 jars) of strawberry or raspberry from bought fruit or large batches (12 jars) of jelly from the crabapples, quinces and blackberries in my garden.

Don't forget that sugar is a cheap ingredient anyway, that's why manufactureres put so much of it in their products.

buxtonrabbitgreen

It is not that money saving even with free fruit. When you think it is about 50p of sugar in each jar. And a jar of jam doesn't cost as much as that. But oh the difference in taste. I make all mine from free fruit.
I picked about 5lbs of chrries from a tree up the road today. They are lovely sweet black cherries and they make lovely jam.
We are sill ploughing through the blackberry and apple from last year, but I probably won't bother this year, as we didn't particularly like it.

sistercas

69p for 1kg in home bargains