There's something undeniably comforting about homemade jam - a preserve that encapsulates the vibrancy of summer berries, to be enjoyed throughout the year. Our favorite at the moment? A luscious, slightly runny raspberry jam.

The act of wandering through the woods, baskets in hand, gently plucking ripe raspberries from their branches is a cherished summer activity. The wild raspberry varieties we find are often more delicate and flavorful, turning into a fragrant mush within minutes of picking. The smell and taste take us right back to our childhood days and remind us of the simple joys of connecting with nature. So, if you can, we'd highly recommend going on your own raspberry foraging adventure to fully appreciate this delightful recipe

When it comes to making raspberry jam, we prefer to keep things uncomplicated. Just two ingredients: sugar and raspberries. Yes, that's all. No pectin, no lemon juice - just the unadulterated taste of ripe raspberries sweetened to perfection.

Our raspberry jam has a bit more fluidity to it than the usual store-bought versions. You might think of it as a saucy cousin to a traditional jam. But for us, this means we get to savor the freshness of the berries, and we wouldn't trade that for anything else.

It begins similar to our macerated raspberry cordial, which we covered in another post. The raspberries are coated in sugar and stirred gently until they turn into a delightful mush. After a quick simmer, voila! Your raspberry jam is ready. If you're making the cordial, why not set some of the mixture aside for jam?

One of our favorite ways to enjoy this jam is fresh and hot, served atop buns slathered with butter. There's something quite magical about biting into a warm bun and having the jam burst forth with its bright, sweet-tart flavors. If you're in the mood to bake - check out our baking method here.

Once it cools down, the jam goes into a container and into the fridge. Remember to consume it within a week, given there are no preservatives. But trust us, it rarely lasts that long!

The raspberry jam is not just limited to buns. It pairs perfectly with a scoop of ice cream, adds a fruity punch to pies, tops cakes beautifully, and even enhances the taste of cheese. Indeed, it's a versatile condiment that adds a burst of summer to whatever it graces.