How to Cook Sakura Jam
Sakura Jam, or cherry Blossom Jam, is made using Sakura cherry blossom flower petals and/or extract. It makes a light pink delicate jam. You can also add strawberry for additional flavor.
It is a Japanese delicacy that you can make at home if you are able to find some cherry blossom extract. Check your local Asian grocery store! Sometimes both blossoms and extract are available on Amazon as well.
About Japanese Sakura Jam
Sakura, or cherry blossoms, have long been celebrated for their delicate beauty and transient nature, symbolizing the fleeting beauty of life in Japanese culture.
The primary ingredient for sakura jam is sakura petals, preferably from the Prunus serrulata variety. These petals are known for their subtle flavor and gentle aroma. The first step in the jam-making process involves preparing the petals. This typically includes a thorough rinsing to remove any dirt or impurities, followed by a brief soaking in water.
After the petals are prepared, they are cooked with sugar and water. The ratio of sugar to petals can vary, but a common approach is to use equal parts by weight. This mixture is then brought to a simmer, allowing the sugar to dissolve completely and the petals to release their flavor. The cooking time is relatively short to preserve the delicate nature of the sakura flavor.
During the cooking process, lemon juice is often added. The lemon juice serves two purposes: it provides a slight acidic balance to the sweetness of the sugar, and it helps in setting the jam due to its natural pectin content. The end result is a subtly flavored, beautifully colored jam that captures the essence of sakura.
The process of making sakura jam shares similarities with that of making rose jam. Both involve the delicate handling of floral ingredients and a balance of sweetness and acidity. Rose petal jam, like sakura jam, requires the petals to be rinsed and cooked with sugar, often with the addition of lemon juice or other citrus to balance the flavor. The primary difference lies in the distinct flavors and aromas of the petals used, with rose petals typically imparting a more robust and fragrant flavor compared to the understated elegance of sakura.
Serving Sakura Jam
Try serving your jam on bread or crackers. I like it on crisp artisan flatbread. It basically goes well anywhere you would normally use jam.
Give Sakura jam a try for something different than your normal jelly or jam!
How to Cook Sakura Jam
Sakura Jam is a cherry Blossom Jam made with petals and extract.
Ingredients
- 15 gm cherry blossom
- 4 drops cherry blossom extract
- 1 gm unflavoured gelatin powder
- 35 gm sugar
- 150 cc water
- Splash of lemon juice
- 1 tbsp water
- 4 tsp white vinegar
Instructions
- poon a tbsp of water in a small bowl and stir in the gelatin powder so that they do not lump; set aside for 5 minutes to soak.
- Pour the water in a large pot and add the sugar into it.
- Cook the mixture over moderate heat, stirring regularly, until the sugar dissolves.
- Sprinkle the cherry blossom petals onto the syrup and add a splash of lemon juice into the mixture.
- Pour the vinegar into it and give it a nice stir until the mixture turns transparent and cook over moderately low heat; avoid boiling the syrup.
- Continue to cook the syrup and maintain the temperature between 50-60 degrees C, as indicated by a candy thermometer placed in the simmering syrup.
- Drizzle the soaked gelatin into it and stir it into the mixture until it melts completely.
- Cook the mixture further until it starts bubbling and thickens into a jam-like consistency.
- Remove from heat and set aside until it cools down completely.
- Spoon it into a clean sterilized jar, seal and store in the fridge for more than a month.
- Serve with breads and desserts and as a spread.
Last Updated on November 30, 2023 by Carleen
