Strawberry jam recipe with fructose

Strawberry Jam with Fructose: A Healthy Delicacy

Strawberry jam is a summer treat, a wonderful way to preserve the fresh taste of strawberries in jars for cooler days. This fructose strawberry jam recipe is perfect for those looking to reduce their sugar intake, whether for health reasons or to maintain an enviable figure. Fructose, a natural sweetener, has a significantly higher sweetness power than sugar, meaning you'll use less to achieve the same sweetness. Additionally, it will help you reduce the number of calories consumed.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Total time: 2 hours
Servings: about 5 jars of 400 g

Ingredients:
- 1.5 kg strawberries (hulled, preferably smaller, fresh from the garden)
- 700 g fructose
- 300 ml water (plus extra water to top up the juice)
- juice of one lemon

Step 1: Preparing the Strawberries
Start by washing the strawberries thoroughly under cold running water. It is essential to remove any impurities. After washing, remove the hulls and let them drain in a colander. This step is important to prevent diluting the jam with excess water. Once drained, sprinkle the strawberries with lemon juice, which will not only add a refreshing flavor but also help preserve the color and freshness of the fruit.

Step 2: Preparing the Syrup
Put the drained strawberry juice in a pot and top up with water until it reaches 300 ml. Add the fructose to the pot and place the mixture over low heat. It is important to be patient at this stage, as the syrup will gradually form. Boil the mixture, stirring occasionally, and remove the foam that forms on the surface. This step helps achieve a clear and impurity-free jam.

Step 3: Cooking the Jam
Once the syrup starts to thicken and become sticky, you can add the strawberries. Let the mixture boil for 30 minutes, being careful to stir as little as possible. This will allow the strawberries to maintain their integrity and not turn into puree. During this process, continue to remove the foam from the surface to achieve a perfect texture.

Step 4: Jam Testing
After about an hour and a half of cooking, it's time to check if the jam is ready. Do a simple test: drop a few drops of jam on a cold plate. If the drops hold their shape, the jam is ready. If not, let it boil for a few more minutes.

Step 5: Preservation
Once the jam is ready, take the pot off the heat and cover it with a damp towel for 15 minutes. This will help stabilize the texture. After this time, pour the jam into sterilized jars, allowing them to cool under a blanket. This slow cooling process will help create a vacuum, ensuring the jam will keep well over time.

Practical Tip:
If you want to enhance the flavor of the jam, you can add other ingredients, such as a few mint leaves or a pinch of cinnamon, during boiling. These additions will add an extra touch of refinement to the jam and a personal note.

Calories and Nutritional Benefits:
This fructose strawberry jam recipe offers a healthier alternative to regular jam, having a lower caloric content due to the use of fructose. Strawberries are rich in vitamins, especially vitamin C, and antioxidants, benefiting the immune system and skin health. Fructose, although having a similar caloric content to sugar, is absorbed more slowly by the body, making it a better option for those looking to control their blood sugar levels.

Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Can I use another type of sweetener?
- Yes, you can experiment with other natural sweeteners, such as agave syrup or stevia, but adjust the quantities according to their sweetness strength.

2. How can I tell if the jam is well-preserved?
- Check the seal of the jars. If the lid presses down and does not pop back up, the jam is well-preserved.

3. How long can the jam be stored?
- Strawberry jam can be stored for 1-2 years if kept in appropriate conditions (dry and cool place).

Serving Suggestions:
Fructose strawberry jam is delicious on toast or as a filling for pancakes. You can also use it as a topping for Greek yogurt or in cakes. It pairs perfectly with a cup of herbal tea or a sweet white wine for a flavor combination that will delight your taste buds.

In conclusion, this simple fructose strawberry jam recipe will bring joy and health in every jar. Experiment, adapt, and enjoy every spoonful!