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Home » Jams, Jellies, Chutney and Pickles » How to make Blackcurrant Jam

July 24, 2016 By Janice Pattie 46 Comments

How to make Blackcurrant Jam

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Spoon of Blackcurrant Jam
Blackcurrant Jam jar with spoon

Blackcurrant Jam is one of the easiest jams you can make. Blackcurrants are naturally high in pectin which is the agent required to make the jam set.  You don’t need to add any additional pectin or lemon juice in this recipe, just blackcurrants, water, and sugar.

Blackcurrant Jam in Jar and on spoon

Jam – A Family Tradition

Making jam is a family tradition. I can remember picking blackcurrants with my Granny in her garden. She then made Blackcurrant Jam.  

My Mum is a very accomplished jam maker and I’ve yet to taste anything to better her Raspberry Jam. I started making jams in my teens and I’ve never stopped.

Blackcurrants for Blackcurrant Jam

A good year for blackcurrants

This year has been particularly good for blackcurrants in my garden. We had a warm dry spell in early summer when the flowers were pollinated and ‘set’.  

Since then we have had an awful lot of rain, not great for other things, but the blackcurrants absolutely love it and are nice and big and juicy and perfect for Blackcurrant Jam!

Ripening Blackcurrants on the bush

What are blackcurrants?

Blackcurrants are small tart berries that grow on a woody shrub. They are easy to grow in the garden and will even grow well in containers. 

Blackcurrants ripen in mid-summer and are ready to pick when they turn from dark red to black.

How to Grow Blackcurrants

Read my Step-by-Step Guide: How to Grow Blackcurrants for all the information you need to successfully grow your own blackcurrants in the garden or in a container.

freezer with boxes

Can I use frozen blackcurrants to make Blackcurrant Jam?

Frozen blackcurrants are perfect for jam. Just put them in the pan with the water the same as fresh blackcurrants.

Blackcurrants freeze really well.  You simply place them on a fray in a single layer.  Open freeze and then put into a freezer-proof container. 

You can also buy frozen blackcurrants if you are not able to find them in the shops.

Spoon of blackcurrant jam with blackcurrants

How to make Blackcurrant Jam

I’ll take you through the steps to make blackcurrant jam. There really aren’t too many because it is a very easy jam to make.

All quantities and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the page

Making Blackcurrant Jam

Soften the blackcurrants

Place the blackcurrants and water into a large pan and simmer until soft.

Add sugar to make blackcurrant jam

Add the sugar

Add the sugar and stir over low heat until all the sugar crystals have dissolved.

Blackcurrant Jam in the pan

Bring the jam to a rolling boil

Bring the Blackcurrant Jam to a rolling boil and boil for about 15 minutes

Pan of Blackcurrant jam ready to pot

Take off the heat and test for set

Take the pan off the heat and set aside while you test for set (see below). If the jam is not set put the pan back on the heat and bring back to a rolling boil for another 5 minutes.

Blackcurrant jam laded into jam funnel

Pot the Blackcurrant Jam into jars

Use a ladle and jam funnel or a jug to pour the hot jam into sterilised jars. Fill right to the top so that the minimum amount of air is left between the jam and the lid.

Blackcurrant jam in jars

Seal the jars

While the jam is still hot, seal the jars with sterilised lids. Check that the lids are still tight once the jam has cooled. Add labels if liked.

Cheff with platter and question marks

Jam Making FAQs

Saucepans

Why do I need a large pan to make jam?

You need a large pan to make jams because when the sugar boils it rises in the pan.  It will boil over if you don’t have a big enough pan.

Glass jam jars

How do I sterilise my jam jars?

I sterilise my jam jars and metal lids by thoroughly washing and rinsing them.  I then put them, still wet,  upside down onto a baking tray and place it in the oven at 150C just before I start to make the jam.

The water creates steam which helps to sterilise the jars.  I take them out of the oven and fill them with the hot jam, then put on the lids.  There are other methods but this is how I sterilise my jars.

Do I need to water bath the jam?

No. I have never water-bathed jam. All my jams, jellies, and marmalade stay in good condition for at least a year kept in a cool dry cupboard. 

In some countries, water bathing is common practice and often used for lower sugar recipes.

What does a Rolling Boil look like?

I learned about jam-making from my Mum and my grandmother.  A lot of what you learn in cooking and baking is very visual.  It’s much easier to understand when you can see what you are aiming for. 

So here is a little help with the main techniques for jam making. The video above will show you what a ”rolling boil’ looks like.

The Wrinkle Test – is the jam going to set?

Once the jam has boiled, you will need to check if it will set (firm up) once cooled.  There are many different ways to test for setting point. 

  • Use a jam thermometer
  • The ‘flake’ test where it drips off your spoon
  • The wrinkle test

I always use the wrinkle test it is simple and has not failed me yet.

How do I do the wrinkle test for jam?

Place some saucers in the fridge before you start making the jam because the cold plate helps speed up the cooling of the jam for the test.  

Boil your jam for 15 minutes, take the pan off the heat, and put a teaspoon of the jam onto one of the cold saucers.

Place the saucer in the fridge and leave for 5 minutes.  Then remove the saucer and push your finger across the jam.  If it wrinkles, you can skim off the froth and pot up your jam. See the quick video above.

My jam didn’t wrinkle – what do I do?

If you haven’t got a wrinkle, put the pan back on the heat and boil for another five minutes, then test for set on another cold saucer.

Blackcurrant Jam on bread

Serving Suggestions

Serve Blackcurrant Jam on bread or toast. The sharp tang of the blackcurrants is tempered by the sweet sugar giving it a fresh and delicious flavour.

Blackcurrant Jam jar, spoon and blackcurrants

You can use blackcurrant jam to make jam tarts, as a topping for cheesecake, to fill a sponge cake, or swirl it into yogurt to make your own fruit corners. Or try my recipe for Baked Blackcurrant Swirl Cheesecake

More Jam Recipes from Farmersgirl Kitchen

Rhubarb and Ginger Jam with scones

Rhubarb and Ginger Jam is one of the first jams I ever made. It’s absolutely delicious and the perfect way to preserve a glut of rhubarb in the spring and early summer.

Homemade White Currant Jelly Jam

White Currant Jelly Jam is a hybrid recipe which looks more like a jelly but contains the whole fruit. It has a delicate floral taste and is very simple to make.

How to make Fig & Lime Jam served with cheese and crackers

Fig and Lime Jam recipe is easy to make and works brilliantly as a sweet jam on your breakfast toast and. in my opinion, it’s even better with cheese and cold meats.

How to make Plum Jam - easy plum jam recipe

My recipe for Easy Plum Jam is really popular and very simple. Plums are high in pectin so the jam will set easily.

More Jam Recipes

  • Easy Redcurrant and Port Jelly   – An ideal jelly to serve with lamb or with cold meats from Kavey Eats
  • Fig and Strawberry Jam –  I’ve never thought of combining figs and strawberries but Kate at The Veg Space has created this amazing jam, well worth trying if you love figs.
  • Apricot and Vanilla Jam – Apricots are one of my favourite fruits and I love the sound of this Apricot and Vanilla Jam recipe from Tin & Thyme
  • Easy Blackberry and Apple Jam– I love foraging for blackberries and this easy Blackberry and Apple Jam is a winner from Fab Food 4 All
Blackcurrant Jam jar with spoon

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Close up Blackcurrant Jam on Spoon

How to make Blackcurrant Jam

Janice Pattie
Blackcurrant Jam has a deep fruity flavour, it’s easy to make and a real taste of summer.
4.37 from 44 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Total Time 25 mins
Course jam, preserves
Cuisine British, Scottish
Servings 42 Servings
Calories 57 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 450 g blackcurrants 1 lb
  • 450 ml water 3/4 pint
  • 550 g sugar 1 1/4 lb

Instructions
 

  • Place 3 saucers into the fridge to use when testing for set.
  • Remove the stalks, then wash the fruit.
  • Simmer gently with the water until the skins are really soft.
  • Add the sugar
  • Stir until dissolved
  • Boil rapidly (rolling boil) until setting point is reached.
  • I suggest you boil for 15 minutes then test for set, if not set test again after 5 minutes.

Notes

There are many methods of testing set, I put saucers or small plates in the fridge and drop a spoonful of jam onto the plate, leave in the fridge for 5 minutes, if it wrinkles when you push it with your finger then it’s ready. Check out the video to see the wrinkle test. Remember to take the jam off the heat while testing. If it’s not set then you can put it back on for 5 minutes.
PLEASE NOTE: I have made double quantities successfully, but care needs to be taken if you plan to make three times the quantity as it is difficult to ensure set and avoid burning the bottom of the pan. 

Nutrition

Calories: 57kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 1mgPotassium: 35mgSugar: 13gVitamin A: 25IUVitamin C: 19mgCalcium: 6mgIron: 1mg
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Filed Under: Field to Fork, Jams, Jellies, Chutney and Pickles, Popular Posts, Summer, Vegetarian Tagged With: Blackcurrants, jam

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Camilla says

    July 25, 2016 at 7:47 pm

    It’s very true, there is nothing better than homemade jam and I bet your blackcurrant one tastes amazing with those plump fruits! Thanks for linking to my jams:-)

    Reply
    • Janice Pattie says

      July 25, 2016 at 8:26 pm

      Thanks Camilla. I know you are a prize winning jam-maker, so I graciously accept your compliment 😉

      Reply
  2. Lucy says

    July 25, 2016 at 8:12 pm

    Those blackcurrants look so good, it is lovely to grow your own fruit then use it to make jam. I must try this with my remaining blackcurrants! Thanks for linking to my jam too

    Reply
    • Janice Pattie says

      July 25, 2016 at 8:25 pm

      Thanks Lucy, I love your blackcurrant curd recipe too. It’s great to share our recipes, especially for seasonal fruit.

      Reply
  3. Ren Behan says

    July 25, 2016 at 8:30 pm

    Ooh so jealous of your blackberries, we had a lovely blackberry bush when I was growing up which has now gone. really miss them each summer, will keep a look out at the local market.

    Reply
    • Janice Pattie says

      July 25, 2016 at 8:35 pm

      It’s funny how closely linked blackcurrants are to childhood. I guess they were such a seasonal treat that were only grown in our gardens, hope you manage to find some blackcurrants at the market.

      Reply
  4. Ren Behan says

    July 25, 2016 at 8:31 pm

    Ahhhh blackcurrants I mean!!!

    Reply
  5. Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says

    July 25, 2016 at 9:02 pm

    I have still never made my own jam, but I think this has to be the year. After we go fruit picking of course!

    Reply
    • Janice Pattie says

      July 26, 2016 at 7:02 am

      Definitely this year, before you get too busy 😉

      Reply
  6. Kavey says

    July 25, 2016 at 10:24 pm

    There’s nothing as satisfying as preserving fruit it veg you’ve grown or foraged yourself, is there? Love the rich colour of this!

    Reply
    • Janice Pattie says

      July 26, 2016 at 7:01 am

      So true, Kavey.

      Reply
  7. Lisa says

    July 25, 2016 at 10:30 pm

    I have always wanted to make homemade jam, but always thought it looked complicated, knowing that blackcurrants are high in pectin and as you said a good place to start, I think I will need to try this recipe/method out!!

    Reply
    • Janice Pattie says

      July 26, 2016 at 6:59 am

      I hope you do try, Lisa. It’s not difficult and homemade jam is so good.

      Reply
  8. Kate | The Veg Space says

    July 26, 2016 at 9:01 am

    Oh I’m totally with you on homemade jam being SO much better than anything you can buy in shops, I like quite a soft set, and love being able to make jam exactly how I want it. I’m still in mourning for a huge blackcurrant bush we had in our allotment which we had to give up last year, luckily I still have a bit of jam and crème du cassis to keep me going!

    Reply
    • Janice Pattie says

      July 26, 2016 at 7:54 pm

      What a shame you had to give up the blackcurrant bush, Kate. Hope you manage to find some blackcurrant to build up your supply again.

      Reply
    • Ann says

      April 9, 2020 at 2:34 pm

      I love the soft set jam as well . The jam I make probably doesn’t cook long enough to make the berries soft, so this year I will try this recipe and cook the berries until they are much softer. Do you take out the currant seeds or leave them in? Thanks much Ann

      Reply
      • Janice Pattie says

        April 9, 2020 at 3:29 pm

        Hi Ann, yes cook the currants until nice and soft before you add the sugar. They won’t soften after the sugar is added. For a soft set, test the jam a little earlier, removing the pan from the heat while you check, and as soon as you see a hint of a wrinkle in your wrinkle test it is ready to put into jars.

        Reply
        • Ann says

          April 12, 2020 at 5:01 pm

          Thanks I just made the jam today with frozen currants, cooked fruit for 15 minutes and it is thinner than my usual recipe but next time I won’t boil as long, as you suggested, as soon as wrinkle test is positive….no Covid pun intended. Thanks for your reply

          Reply
          • Janice Pattie says

            April 12, 2020 at 5:18 pm

            It’s always tricky, but once you ‘get your eye in’ you’ll be able to get the set you want. I don’t always get it right myself 😊

  9. Margot says

    July 26, 2016 at 4:46 pm

    Oh, this looks soooo summery! Black currant jam is my favourite as well, but only homemade one… The store bought jams are usually too sweet and don’t have enough flavour.

    Reply
    • Janice Pattie says

      July 26, 2016 at 7:53 pm

      I totally agree Margot, homemade is the only way to go!

      Reply
  10. Choclette says

    July 27, 2016 at 9:23 pm

    Mmm, you can’t beat homemade jam, unless you boil it so much it goes hard. Who me?

    Reply
    • Janice Pattie says

      July 27, 2016 at 9:38 pm

      Been there done that! Fortunately, blackcurrants don’t need much boiling.

      Reply
  11. Christina | Christina's Cucina says

    July 28, 2016 at 6:08 am

    You are so lucky to have blackcurrants so available! Did you know they were outlawed in the US for many years? Terrible! I’m on a mission, though- I want to spread the word here in America to teach everyone about this wonderful fruit, no that they are no longer illegal!

    Reply
    • Janice Pattie says

      July 29, 2016 at 9:22 pm

      Oh my goodness, I didn’t know that Christina. I wonder why? Was there some kind of disease that they carried? They seem so innocuous it’s hard to believe they would be illegal. Good luck with your campaign.

      Reply
  12. Solange says

    August 12, 2016 at 8:36 am

    Thank you very much for entering your jam in our inheritance recipes. We have a lovely collection of preserves now. However, I’d never heard of berries jam always jelly so that is excellent news as it’s less fiddly x

    Reply
    • Janice Pattie says

      August 12, 2016 at 6:37 pm

      I’m all for less fuss, Solange. Thanks for your mind comment.

      Reply
  13. Carolyn says

    August 5, 2019 at 7:09 pm

    Tried your blackcurrant jam recipe today using fruit from my garden. Last time (and the only time) I made jam it was like toffee but this time it worked beautifully. Thank you so much:)

    Reply
    • Janice Pattie says

      August 5, 2019 at 9:00 pm

      That’s great to hear, Carolyn. Enjoy your jam 😊

      Reply
  14. Janet swallow says

    February 20, 2020 at 9:09 am

    Can you use frozen blackcurrants if so how much water do you use

    Reply
    • Janice Pattie says

      February 20, 2020 at 9:48 am

      Hi Janet, yes you can use frozen blackcurrants. I just use the same quantity of water and haven’t had any problems. Enjoy your jam making 😊

      Reply
      • Janet swallow says

        February 20, 2020 at 2:21 pm

        Thank you I will try this

        Reply
  15. Michelle Rolfe says

    June 24, 2020 at 9:08 am

    I was super lucky to find 3 established blackcurrant bushes in the courtyard when we moved in to our house 5 years ago. They were so overgrown at first I just hacked them back not knowing what they were. The next year we had amazing fruit! I usually make it into jelly rather than jam as my kids were fussy with the berries but will try both this year as looks too be a good crop!

    Thanks
    Michelle. X

    Reply
    • Janice Pattie says

      June 24, 2020 at 5:29 pm

      I’ve never made blackcurrant jelly. I just make jam because you get more bulk with the whole fruit. I hope you will try the recipe and let me know how you get on.

      Reply
  16. Chloe Edges | Feast Glorious Feast says

    June 28, 2020 at 2:27 pm

    This looks lovely, I’m not sure I’ve ever actually tired blackcurrant jam. I’m going to try and get a bush for my garden next year so hopefully power jam is in my future!

    Reply
  17. Cat | Curly's Cooking says

    June 28, 2020 at 3:57 pm

    This looks so tasty. I’ve not made jam before and this is making me want to!

    Reply
    • Janice Pattie says

      June 28, 2020 at 3:59 pm

      I’m so glad that my recipe has had this effect! Jam making is a bit like bread making, it seems more difficult than it is and once you start you just keep wanting to make more!

      Reply
  18. Eb Gargano | Easy Peasy Foodie says

    June 29, 2020 at 11:36 am

    Mmmm – I haven’t had blackcurrant jam for yonks, but my mum used to make it every year growing up from blackcurrants in our garden – so delicious! Eb x

    Reply
    • Janice Pattie says

      June 29, 2020 at 4:25 pm

      Nice that the jam brings back memories. Time to make some jam memories with your own kids maybe?

      Reply
  19. Nic | Nic's Adventures & Bakes says

    June 29, 2020 at 11:43 am

    Thanks for sharing, this jam looks amazing perfect to go with anything 🙂

    Nic | Nic’s Adventures & Bakes

    Reply
    • Janice Pattie says

      June 29, 2020 at 4:25 pm

      Thank you, Nic. It is a really delicious jam and so easy to make.

      Reply
  20. Matt says

    July 6, 2020 at 9:45 pm

    Hi, I’m looking for a low sugar recipe and this looks great. I’ve just seen the nutritional information underneath the recipe and it says 5g is over 1200 calories?!

    Reply
    • Janice Pattie says

      July 6, 2020 at 10:27 pm

      Hi Matt, thanks for pointing out that error. The jam is just over 100 kcal per serving, it is not a low sugar jam but a traditional recipe with high sugar intended to preserve the currants for a least a year. Unfortunately, reducing the sugar content in this recipe will affect the ability of the jam to set and it would be more like a fruit compote and have a short shelf life even in the refrigerator.

      Reply
      • Matt says

        July 7, 2020 at 7:08 am

        Hi, thanks for the clarification about low sugar jams. I had seen a tempting chia and raspberry recipe, but the jam only lasted for a week in the fridge. I’m going to pick some more black currants today and give your recipe a go soon! Thanks.

        Reply
  21. Izzi says

    July 27, 2020 at 11:17 pm

    Simple, straight forward jam, with a wonderful taste. My gran would have loved it, and she would have laughed at me, as I managed to take my eye off the pan for a minute and ended up with slightly thicker jam than I aimed for. Taste is still fab, and still spreads easy enough, so no real harm done, just showed that your recipe is spot on!

    Reply
    • Janice Pattie says

      July 28, 2020 at 7:15 am

      It’s so easy to do, Izzi. Glad you are enjoying the jam.

      Reply

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Hello, I’m Janice, I live on a farm and I love to cook and bake. My aim is to be your friend in the kitchen, providing simple and delicious recipes, friendly advice, inspiration, and honest reviews. Read more on my About page.

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