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    You are Here: Masala Herb Β» Recipes Β» Jams

    Red Currant Jelly Recipe

    Published: Jul 19, 2019 Β· Modified: Nov 10, 2022 by Helene Dsouza

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    Helene Dsouza
    A ruby red, sweet n easy red currant jelly recipe without pectin. A delicious breakfast hit with butter and bread or gift it to a beloved family member or friend.
    Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
    100 servings
    4.46 from 22 votes
    Jump to Recipe
    Easy Red Currant Jelly Recipe

    Red Currant Jelly is a classic jelly that we prepare from scratch every year during the months of June and July in Europe.

    Easy Red Currant Jelly Recipe
    Recipes from around the world E-Book

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    This red currant jelly recipe is without pectin and preservatives, you can make it easily at home with the process shots in the recipe and how to + tips further below.

    If you like sweet savory spiced chutneys, then check out my red currant chutney.

    Jump to:
    • πŸ“• What are red currants?
    • πŸ“œ Are they sour or sweet berries?
    • πŸ‘©πŸ»β€βš•οΈ Health benefits
    • 🫐 Ingredients
    • πŸ”ͺ How to make it?
    • 🍱 Storing
    • 🍴 Uses
    • πŸ‘οΈ More red currant recipes
    • πŸ“– Recipe
    • πŸ’¬ Comments

    πŸ“• What are red currants?

    Red Currants (or redcurrants spelled) are ruby red semi-translucent round berries.

    The red currants are related to gooseberries and black currants.

    Similar varieties are the white albino currants and the jostaberry which is a cross of the red and white currant.

    Red Currants grow in cold climates on shrubs and are usually harvested in July.

    Easy Red Currant Jelly Recipe

    πŸ“œ Are they sour or sweet berries?

    The red currants are usually turned into a sweet red currant syrup.

    However, there is always enough red currants to prepare this organic red currant jelly recipe from scratch.

    Red currants are known to be very sour fruits and they look like gorgeous sparkling ruby red stones.

    The moment you crush a berry you realize that the red currants aren't just sour but extremely sour!

    Then, of course, it depends where the red currant bush hail from.

    Easy Red Currant Jelly Recipe

    For example, my grandfather and uncles grow red currants in north France.

    Somehow those red currants always turn out sweeter in France as compared to the ones growing at 600 m above the sea level in the Austrian Alps.

    Also if the red currant bush leaves don't get enough sun due to a heavy rainy spring, the berries tend to turn out more sour.

    Besides the number of sun rays that hit the plant, the soil in which the bushes grow also has an impact on the sweetness of the fruits.

    Though in general, commercially available red currants do tend to be sweeter.

    We also shouldn't forget that sour berries indicate something important!

    Easy Red Currant Jelly Recipe

    πŸ‘©πŸ»β€βš•οΈ Health benefits

    Sour means the berries are filled with nutritious ascorbic acid, better known as Vitamin C, which is an essential Antioxidant.

    Antioxidants block damages caused by free radicals which can destroy DNA.

    Consider this: The more free radicals the more health problems (cancer) and the faster you will age.

    We all have come across these terms, Antioxidants and free radicals over the past couple of years but I noticed often that it isn't always understood by others.

    Easy Red Currant Jelly Recipe

    So the knowledge around the topic is limited and people can be easily fooled.

    I have a great example: Somebody proclaimed some selected fruits as superfoods, so-called cancer killers, as for example the soursop fruit, Guava and Goji berries to name a few.

    The problem with that is that some people take advantage and are selling these so-called superfruits at overpriced rates in the markets to those who are desperate to find a cure for cancer, and that just can't be right.

    You see, soursops or guava are not the only fruits rich in vitamin C, there are other fruits such as citrus fruits, red currant, blueberries or lesser-known Indian berries such as the Zunna berry which are also very rich in vitamin C.

    These fruits are commonly available, completely normally priced, especially lemons and oranges.

    To enjoy our red currants longer, I choose to preserve them.

    One of the best ways to indulge in red currants is this red currant jelly recipe.

    Easy Red Currant Jelly Recipe

    🫐 Ingredients

    The red currant jelly recipe is a family recipe calling for only 3 ingredients.

    Also, this red currant jelly is completely pectin-free.

    If you want added flavor, then use organic red currants to bring out all the goodness of this gorgeous jelly.

    The amount of sugar in the recipe below is normal for making any jam or jelly.

    The sugar is required to preserve the jelly well and for a longer period.

    If you would reduce the sugar, you would end up with mold on your gorgeous homemade jelly.

    You would have to consume the jelly within only a few days.

    Commercial jams have chemical preservatives included which makes the jam taste strange and artificial.

    Also, these preservatives might not always be good for you.

    That is why you need to use plain old regular sugar instead so that the jelly preserves long enough and so that you can retain the natural flavor in the jar.

    When you intend to use the jelly, you usually just take a small spoonful on your bread slices, so the jelly will never taste too sweet.

    Easy Red Currant Jelly Recipe

    πŸ”ͺ How to make it?

    To prepare this red currant jelly simply follow the steps.

    Find the full printable recipe further below with the ingredient and instruction details.

    Step 1

    Wash your fruits and place the red currants into a pot with water.

    Boil until the water is infused with the cooked red currants.

    Delicious sweet, ruby red sparkling organic Red Currant Jelly Recipe with step by step pictures from scratch and with only 3 ingredients! www.masalaherb.com

    Step 2

    Strain to separate the hot red currant water from the fruit pieces.

    Discard the fruit pieces.

    Cook the red currant water with the sugar.

    Delicious sweet, ruby red sparkling organic Red Currant Jelly Recipe with step by step pictures from scratch and with only 3 ingredients! www.masalaherb.com

    Step 3

    Cook the red currant jelly until it is set.

    Test if the jelly is set with a thermometer: 220 Fahrenheit/ 105 Celsius OR test by dropping some hot jelly on an ice-cold plate to see if it's running when cooled down.

    Delicious sweet, ruby red sparkling organic Red Currant Jelly Recipe with step by step pictures from scratch and with only 3 ingredients! www.masalaherb.com

    Pour the red currant into jam jars when still hot and liquid right after cooking.

    Delicious sweet, ruby red sparkling organic Red Currant Jelly Recipe with step by step pictures from scratch and with only 3 ingredients! www.masalaherb.com

    🍱 Storing

    Store your red currant jelly in a sterilized glass jar locked with a clean lid.

    Keep in a cool and dry place away from direct sunlight.

    Store in the fridge once opened and consume within months.

    🍴 Uses

    The homemade redcurrant jelly is great...

    • as bread spread or with croissant, scones etc. for breakfast
    • as a doughnut filling
    • as a cake glaze instead of apricot jam or in tart and pie jellies
    • in cookies such as Linzer cookies and Thumbprint cookies
    • served as a sauce with savory meals such as with game, lamb, turkey, veal or with Schnitzel instead of Lingonberry or Cranberry Jam.
    Red Currant Jelly

    πŸ‘οΈ More red currant recipes

    • Red Currant Cordial
    • Red Currant Eclairs by blondieishatkitchen.com

    Dear Reader, do you grow your own red currant or do you buy them?

    Recipes from around the world E-Book

    Global Food Recipes

    with Spices and Herbs

    Free E-Book available for a limited time. Grab yours now and get instantly inspired!

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    πŸ“– Recipe

    Easy Red Currant Jelly Recipe

    Red Currant Jelly Recipe

    A ruby red, sweet n easy red currant jelly recipe without pectin. A delicious breakfast hit with butter and bread or gift it to a beloved family member or friend.
    4.46 from 22 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Breakfast
    Cuisine: French
    how to make red currant jelly, red currant jelly
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
    Servings: 100 servings
    Calories: 41kcal
    Recipe by: Helene Dsouza

    Ingredients

    • 1.1 pound Red Currants
    • 3Β½ cups Water
    • 2.2 pounds Sugar *see notes
    US - Metric

    Instructions

    • Place the currants into a cooking pot, add the water. Cook for 30 mins until red currants turn white. First on low heat, then increase and boil at the end.
    • Strain the boiled currants. Make sure to squeeze the fruit left overs well so that all the juice comes out. Discard the fruit parts.
    • Take the strained red currant water back to the heat and add all the sugar.
    • Mix everything well. Cook your jelly on a low rolling boil and stir occasionally. The cooking and reducing so that the jelly forms, can take around 70-90 minutes.
    • Remove from the heat and test the jelly by adding some of the hot jelly into an ice-cold plate. The jelly is ready if it's not running, if it's still running it will need more cooking and then repeat the test again. OR test with a candy thermometer. Setting temperature is 105 Celsius/220 Fahrenheit.

    • Once finished cooked, pour the jelly into prepared clean sterilized jars.
    • Add a few drops of rum into the lid (to kill further bacteria), close the jar with the jelly still hot and turn the jar upside down to create a vacuum. Leave the jelly to cool completely so that it turns from liquid to jelly.
    • Store in a cool and dry place for up to 10 months. Store in the fridge once the jar has been opened. Makes about 5 jars.

    Notes

    1. Use fresh red currants only. The recipe can be use with white currants too.
    2. Use regular sugar, not pectin sugar.
    3. The ratio should be 1:1 red currant water and sugar. So if your red currant water turns out to be less than 1 kg (2.2 pound), adjust the sugar weight to the same weight measurement. example 1 liter (5 cups) extracted red currant water and 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) sugar.
    4. 1 serving = 1 teaspooon, 100 servings = 5 jars

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Red Currant Jelly Recipe
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 41 Calories from Fat 9
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 1g2%
    Saturated Fat 1g5%
    Sodium 1mg0%
    Potassium 14mg0%
    Carbohydrates 11g4%
    Fiber 1g4%
    Sugar 10g11%
    Protein 1g2%
    Vitamin A 5IU0%
    Vitamin C 2.1mg3%
    Calcium 2mg0%
    Iron 0.1mg1%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Made this? Get featured!Mention @real.masalaherb or tag #masalaherb!

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