Concord Grape Jam
Raw, sugar free, no pectin, no canning, EASY!
Did you know that this robustly flavored grape is loaded with health benefits? And it is incredibly easy to make your own juice/jam without the added sugars…
Health Benefits of Concord Grapes
Boost immune system and anti cancer benefits
Concord grapes are high in vitamins & minerals such as vitamin C, vitamin K, calcium, manganese, potassium and other micronutrients, especially the skins of the grapes. Regular consumption of these grapes boosts white blood cell function (T-cells) and has a DNA protective effect. The anti-oxidant effect of the grapes also can has an anti-cancer effect.
Lower blood pressure
One of the flavenoids in concord grapes is reservatrol - this is a natural blood thinner and vasodialator. Reservatrol is so effective as a blood thinner that it should not be combined with prescription blood thinners. Not only does it increase the fluidity of the blood but it also relaxes and opens arterial walls, allowing for adequate blood flow throughout the body, decreasing blood pressure and creating a pleasant relaxed feeling!
Boost cognitive performance
These grapes have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties and may slow the progression of age-related cognitive decline and adults with early state Alzheimer. Research suggests that people who drink flavenoid rich grape juice have better spacial memory and are better drivers than people who do not. polyphenol flavenoids are produced by grapes, and other plants, as part of their immune system to protect the plant from foreign invaders - this protective quality is transferred over to our bodies when we eat the grapes.
Digestive Benefits
Grapes are considered to be a natural laxative due to the insoluble fiber, antioxidants, and high water content. Concord grapes in particular are loaded with healthy fiber, especially if eaten whole with the skins and seeds. The skins also contain the highest amount of reservatrol.
Concord Grape Jam Recipe
The taste of Pb&J we all know and love from childhood, except better. No sugar added, no pectin, agar, gelatin or any other thickener and without the hassle of canning.
Let’s not ruin these perfectly tasting grapes with all that added sugar and other unnecessary ingredients. This jam has only three ingredients, grapes, water and honey. There is no stove-top heating in this recipe, so the jam is 100% raw, assuming you use raw honey. Also, a bi-product of making this jam is a delicious concord grape juice!
I want to call this grape “jelly” but this recipe is technically a jam because it’s made with the whole fruit and not just the fruit juice.
ingredients…
6 cups fresh concord grapes
2 cups water
2 Tbs honey
Equipment…
High speed blender
Strainer
Half gallon mason jar (or other glass container for storing)
A small mason jar (for the finished product)
A large spoon
refrigerator
Here’s how…
Place 6 cups grapes with 2 cups of water into a high speed blender. Important note: these measurements are for a blender with at least an 8 cup (1/2 gallon) capacity. If you have a smaller blender, blend 3 cups grapes with 1 cup water in two separate batches.
Slowly increase the speed, then blend on high for a 1 ½ minutes.
Place the strainer over a large bowl, making sure to choose a bowl big enough so that the strainer fits inside. Slowly pour some of the blended grape mixture into the strainer; this step will remove some of the seeds and skins of the grapes. Use the spoon to gently mix and push the blended grapes through the strainer. Continue this step until all of the grape mixture is strained into the bowl. Discard the seeds and skins leftover in the strainer.
Pour the strained grape mixture into a half gallon Mason jar, or glass container with a lid. It’s important to use a see-thru glass container so that you can see when the mixture has fully separated. Place in the refrigerator for 12 hours or overnight.
After about 12 hours the mixture should be fully separated. This means you should clearly see liquid grape juice at the bottom and thick pulp at the top. The pulp at the top is the grape jam. The liquid at the bottom is the grape juice.
All the natural sweetness from the grapes sinks down into the grape juice, while the top pulp remains unsweet, which is why we will add honey to it in the final step.
Remove from the refrigerator and use a large spoon to scoop the thick pulp off the surface into a separate jar. Add two tablespoons of honey to the grape pulp and mix well. You now have a grape jam and a grape juice! Enjoy!
Keep refrigerated and consume the jam and juice within 7 days.
Wishing you abundant fun in the kitchen <3
~ Julia Cloud