Food wastage is on the decline, and now, more than ever it’s important to know exactly how to store and preserve your fruits to save your pennies. Whether you have grown your own or not, preserving fruit can be a satisfying and tasty alternative to disposing of food. We have put together our top methods of how to preserve fruit to help you reduce what you have to throw away.
Preserve Fruit: Freezing
One of the simplest ways of preserving fruit is to freeze it. If you notice that your fruit is going past its best, wash it, allow it to dry naturally and thoroughly before packaging and freezing. Ensure that the freezable storage container is sealed tightly and that no water droplets remain on your fruit prior to the freezing process.
Preserve Fruit: Jams
Using your fruit to make jam is versatile and can be a long-life preserving solution. If you choose to not seal the jar, then your jam will usually last around 2-3 weeks if kept in the refrigerator. If the jar is sealed, your jam will be fresh and delicious for months to come as the sugar will help preserve it.
Hillier Tip: Be sure that your fruit is ripe yet still firm, whilst confident that the fruit has no bruises.
How to make jam
1. Wash the fruit
Give your fruit a good gentle wash, avoid doing this with berries as they will absorb the water.
2. Chop the fruit
Chop fruit roughly, making sure you cut those larger pieces of fruit in half.
3. Pop fruit into a saucepan.
Add juice of one lemon for every kilo of fruit you’re cooking as this contains a natural pectin which is a substance that aids in thickening and setting fruit preserves.
4. Heat fruit and add sugar
Before you start to add the sugar, gently squash the fruit with a back of a wooden spoon and give a good stir.
5. Cook fruit gently.
Once the sugar has dissolved gently increase the temperature to boiling point and let the fruit and sugar boil for 5 minutes. Making sure to regularly stir so that it doesn’t stick.
6. Remove jam from heat.
Removing your jam from the heat will help with the setting process, it’s best to leave to stand for 10 minutes.
7. Test the jam.
There are a couple of ways you can test the jam; by putting a small amount from a teaspoon onto a cold plate checking if it wrinkles when you push it, alternatively you could tilt the cold plate and if it drips downwards then it’s not quite ready.
8. Enjoy
If the jars are sealed they can last for months if kept in a cool dark place as the sugar will preserve it. Once opened keep in the refrigerator and enjoy!
Discover Scones with Strawberries & Cream by Hillier, the ideal recipe to add your homemade jam to.
Sealing your jars can prevent mould and ultimately the deterioration of your fruit if you plan on keeping it for a prolonged period of time. You should also remember to sterilise any jar that you may be working with prior to using it.
To seal your jars:
- Parchment paper
As soon as your jar is full of jam, lay a piece of parchment paper across the top to eliminate any air flow into the jam. This can stop mould from appearing during storage.
- Secure jar
While your jam is still hot, screw the lid on tightly.
- Cling film
Wrap cling film around the lid and fasten it with an elastic band. The jam will cool and the cling film will constrict to create the seal.
Preserve Fruit: Canning
Canning is an easy process for storing fruit, and the great thing is, it’s the same procedure whatever the fruit!
How to can fruit
1. Wash your fruit.
Peel and chop if necessary.
2. Layer your fruit in a mason jar until it’s nearly full.
Leave around an inch’s worth of space at the top of the jar.
3. Top the fruit with a simple syrup.
Ensure that this is a cool mixture before pouring it into the jar.
4. Secure the jar.
Much like jams, if you are wanting to use the fruit within a couple of weeks, you will not need to seal the jar.
Quick and easy options to reduce food waste
If you are looking for a quick fix to throwing out your fruit, why not try one of these alternatives to use up your fruit.
- Mix all your fruits in a food processor and blend to form a smoothie.
- Turn your leftover fruit into a pie or crumble.
- Experiment with different kinds of bread (i.e., banana bread).
With lots of the UK currently struggling with financial difficulties, it’s so important now to help each other where we can. If you notice that you have excess fruit, rather than throw it away, why not donate it directly to your local food bank or give it to someone you may know who’s in need? Be sure to check where you can donate food locally beforehand.
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