FOOD NEWS
Make Store-Bought Jam Taste Homemade With Just Two Simple Ingredients
By Camryn Teder
Mixing fresh fruit in a saucepan with sugar and lemon juice to create jam is a fairly quick and easy process, but when you don’t have time to make it, you’ll probably have to pick up a premade jar at the store. However, with two simple ingredients, it’s possible to make store-bought jam taste like it came fresh off the stove.
Despite the difference in quality, it’s relatively simple to trick your guests into thinking your jam off the grocery store shelf is homemade by adding salt and lemon. Just a pinch of salt in your store-bought jam will balance overly syrupy spreads and enhance the flavor, while the lemon molds the elements together for a better texture, brightening the flavor.
Salt is a popular addition to sweet foods due to its ability to enhance flavors with the stark contrast of the minerals it provides, and lemon juice’s role is essential for lowering the pH of jam. Add these to your store-bought jam to taste, and no one will ever guess you bought it from Costco.