You either love it or hate it, but apples and ginger have an extremely warm, spicy, sweet, and pungent flavor combination. It’s one of the most natural, delicious, and nutritious combinations in the natural world.
Apples and gingers have long been used in jams, jellies, and preserves. They also make a great combination for tea as the sweetness of the apple complements the pungent spiciness of the ginger. It would even be better to add spices such as cinnamon, cloves, or nutmeg to amplify both flavor profiles.
Apple Ginger Jam Trivia
- Both Apples and Gingers are used for natural remedies, so eating homemade apple ginger jam would not only give you sweet treats, but it would also be beneficial for your health when consumed in little amounts.
- Apples and gingers both have anti-inflammatory properties and can alleviate the swelling. They also help in fighting symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
- Both apples and gingers can also help improve digestion and stomach problems. Apples contain pectin which can relieve constipation and diarrhea. Meanwhile, Ginger has long been a common remedy for IBS, flatulence, bloating, nausea, and vomiting.
Apple Ginger Jam Buying Guide
Apple Ginger jam can be purchased in grocery stores, department stores, or even online. However, check the label to identify the ingredients used in the production. Commercially produced apple ginger jam contains preservatives, chemicals, and additives that can harm a person’s health.
If you want to purchase homemade, natural, or artisan-made products, then check your local farmer’s markets or check the nearest artisan food stalls available in your area.
Apple Ginger Jam Production & Farming in Texas
People say it’s pretty easy to plant and grow apples in Texas because of its sunny climate. However, not all apple varieties thrive in Texas. Areas such as the High Plains region in Lubbock and the Davis Mountains are considered to be the most successful places to grow apples.
Apples prefer to grow in well-drained soils, and with only 6.5 to 7 pH. Cotton Root apples grow well in the alkaline soils of Hill County and North Central Texas. Chilling hours is the main challenge for growing apples in Texas. Most apples need a chilling requirement of 1000-1600 hours but they can only receive 800-1000 chilling hours in Texas.
Preservatives and Chemicals
It is recommended to purchase artisan-made apple ginger jam as they are free from chemicals such as artificial flavoring and food coloring. They also don’t contain a lot of artificial sugars such as sucralose and glucose.
Packaging
Apple Ginger Jam should be stored in sterilized glass jars to preserve their quality and lengthen their shelf life. Sterilized glass jars are easier to clean, keep, and maintain. They are also reusable and environment-friendly.
When using glass jars, sterilize the glass jars and lids before using them. Boil them adequately, dry them, and wipe both the inside and outside of the jars to keep moisture away from the jam. Always check the condition of the glass jars before using them. Discard any glass jars with cracks or chipped edges. Lids with rust should also be discarded. Anything unsafe for food storage and consumption should never be used to safely preserve the jam and protect the health of the consumers.
Add some ribbons or stickers to your glass jars to make them prettier. Finally, don’t forget to add the date of production to your packaging. Always let your consumers know when your product is made. That way, they will know when or how to consume the apple ginger jam before it spoils.
Enjoying Apple Ginger Jam
Apple and ginger jam is a great addition to plain breakfast treats. Lather some apple ginger jam on your buttered pancakes, waffles, and crepes. Then serve with more whipped cream and milk or coffee. It’s also a great filling for cakes, cupcakes, and muffins. You can also mix some apple ginger jam into your apple rhubarb pie filling.
A cup of tea? Of course, plain apple or ginger tea can be sweetened using your homemade apple ginger jam. You can also use it to enhance the flavors of homemade apple juice.
Storage
It’s pretty simple to store apple ginger jam. Just remember that unopened bottles of jam can be stored at room temperature for up to a year, if you store them at a cool dry place away from the direct heat of the sun. Jams exposed to hot and humid environments spoil easily. The sun and the humid conditions could also change the color, flavor, and consistency of the jam.
Cooking
APPLE GINGER JAM
Ingredients
50 grams fresh ginger root
500 ml water
1 tsp lime zest
1 kg apples
1 kg sugar
Preparation
- Clean fresh ginger roots and half of the apples and process them in the food processor. Dice the remainder of the apples into small pieces.
- Place processed ginger and apples in a saucepan and cook on low heat for 5-6 minutes until very aromatic. Pour water over them and cook over medium heat to simmer for about 1 hour.
- Pour sugar in a saucepan and cook it for approximately 30 minutes, stirring often until it is reduced to a jam consistency. Finish by stirring in the lemon zest and remove from heat.
- Pour warm jam in clean jars or containers, let cool then wrap and place in the fridge.
