Get ready for a citrusy sweet experience with this tangerine jam. It has a unique flavour that is sure to tantalize your taste buds and bring a smile to your face. Not only does it make an excellent spread for toast and muffins, but it can also be used as an amazing glaze or topping for cakes and pies.
Plus, making this delightful treat couldn’t be easier! With just a few simple ingredients, you can have a jar of homemade tangerine jam in no time. So grab some fresh tangerines from the shop/market and let’s get cooking!
A different citrus spread on the block
What is the difference between a tangerine marmalade and a tangerine jam?
Tangerine marmalade and tangerine jam are both spreads that can be used in baking or as a topping for toast. However, there are several key differences between the two that make them unique.
Tangerine marmalade includes chopped or sliced up peel of tangerines which gives it a chewy, fibrous texture. It also contains bits of fruit and has distinctive bitter taste notes (of varying degrees) from the white pith and membranes of the citrus. Marmalade is typically made with citrus, sugar, water and sometimes spices such as cinnamon or nutmeg which give it more depth in flavour.
Tangerine jam is made from the pulp of tangerines which makes it smooth and spreadable. It has less tartness and bitterness than marmalade and more of a sweet, fruity flavour instead. This jam often contains citrus pulp, sugar, water and other ingredients such as vanilla extract or lemon juice to enhance its taste making it ideal for use on toast and in other delicious ways.
This jam is a tasty and easy-to-make recipe that provides numerous benefits to those who enjoy it.
Firstly, tangerines are rich in vitamin C, making this jam great for boosting the immune system.
Additionally, its tart flavour adds an interesting twist to any dish it’s added to—from toast to pastries and more!
Lastly, this preserve requires little preparation time and can be stored for up to three months without losing freshness or taste.
With these advantages in mind, tangerine jam is the perfect recipe for any home cook looking to add a fresh and flavourful touch of sweetness to their daily menu!
The making of tangerine jam
Creating this tasty treat is a relatively straightforward process that starts with washing, peeling and chopping the tangerines. Remove as much of the white pith(layer of the skin) and fibrous membranes as possible. Tie the pips for the tangerines and lemon in a muslin bag to add to the mixture to benefit from their pectin contribution.
Add the chopped tangerines to a blender or food processor and blitz briefly before adding them to the pan. Here it is joined by the juice from one lemon, sugar and some orange juice. Stir and turn up the heat.
Bring a boil once the sugar has dissolved. Boil for 30-40 minutes, stirring regularly, then start to check for the setting point.
The mixture should be thickened and become jam-like in consistency. Remove the muslin bag.
Once the setting point is reached, ladle the jam into prepared jars and seal. Label, store and get ready to enjoy.
TIPS for Tangerine Jam
1. Use ripe juicy tangerines for the best flavour.
This brings the full flavour of the tangerine to work in this jam. You may want to add the flesh of some oranges, clementines or mandarins and turn this into a wonderful orange citrus jam party!
Add a small amount of the very surface zest of the tangerines (avoid all/any of the white part of the peel as bitterness lies this way.) The citrus oils in the zest can just turn up the volume of the citrus flavour and aroma. You can omit this option to ensure that bitterness risk is limited as far as possible.
2. Use the seeds for their natural pectin contribution.
Tangerine pulp is low in pectin, but you can use the seeds to add more pectin to your jam. To use them, tie the seeds in a muslin bag and simmer them along with the fruit and sugar.
The lemon juice also supports the set of the jam. You can also add the seeds from the lemon to this bag for the same reason.
If the fruits you have do not have many or any seeds, your options to realise a satisfying set to the jam include:
- Using a thickener of your choice to adjust the consistency of the jam to your preference. This may include consideration of a commercial pectin product – be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on its use for optimal results.
- Allow the fruit, water and sugar mixture to cook for longer. This way the excess liquids evaporate, and the mixture starts to thicken naturally. Prolong the cooking time in stages of 10 minutes depending on how runny your jam is by the time you have worked through the recipe guidelines. Then test for the set point after each period until it is realised.
3. Add a splash of the liqueur
To enhance the flavour of your tangerine jam, consider adding a splash of liqueur. Grand Marnier, Cointreau, or Triple Sec are good options that pair well with the citrus flavour of tangerines and enhance the taste.
Add the liqueur towards the end of the cooking process, after the jam has thickened. Start with a small amount, and taste as you go (mmm….) until you achieve the desired flavour. Remember, a little goes a long way, so don’t overdo it.
4. Do not use canned citrus for this recipe. But you can use frozen citrus fruits.
These tips can help you make a delicious tangerine jam that’s sure to impress your friends and family. Enjoy!
Ways to make your tangerine preserves unique
Add some vanilla extract
Add a teaspoon or two of vanilla extract. This softens and blurs the edges of the punchy citrus taste for a truly melting experience.
Change up the citrus
Instead of just tangerine, you can use clementines, oranges, lemons or lime for a slightly different taste. Or a combination of these!
Play with honey or maple syrup
Adding any one of these sweeteners will give your jam a unique sweet twist as compared to using traditional white sugar alone in the recipe.
You may also consider using your choice of brown sugar to add a luxurious caramel note to the jam.
Spice it up!
Add some ground cinnamon, and/or ginger for a richer, taste note that goes extremely well with tangerines! But there is also star anise, all-spice, clove, nutmeg etc that you can play with.
Incorporate herbs
Herbs such as mint and basil are delicious additions that go great alongside citrus flavours in jams like this one!
Go and let your creativity fly!
A few ideas on how to enjoy this tangerine jam
1. As a topping for cupcakes
Tangerine jam makes a delicious and vibrant addition to plain cupcakes, adding a unique flavour and colour.
2. As part of a drizzle or glaze mix
Create an interesting drizzle or glaze by warming some tangerine jam in the microwave or on the stovetop until it becomes liquidy enough to drizzle over cakes, muffins and other desserts.
3. Spread on toast
Toast a slice of your favourite bread and spread some tangerine jam over top for a delightful breakfast or snack! Add a slice of cheese on the side for a winning contrast.
4. Add to oats or yoghurt
Stir some into your oats as a tasty topping. You can also add some to plain yoghurt for an extra fruity flavour.
5. Make ice pops
This is one way that children especially will fall in love with this jam! Simply fill plastic moulds with equal parts fruit juice (like orange) and tangerine jam, mix so that they’re combined but still slightly separated from each other (so you end up with stripes), stick in popsicle sticks if desired, then freeze. Enjoy a cool, fruity treat!
6. Mix into the cake batter
Stir some citrus jam into your favourite cake mix before baking for an extra dose of sweet tangy flavour. This works especially well with vanilla and butter cakes.
7. Use as a filling for sandwich biscuits
Whip up a batch of sandwich biscuits using the tangerine jam as the filling for a unique twist. It goes particularly well with coconut or almond-flavoured biscuits.
8. As part of a marinade
Combine tangerine jam with garlic, red pepper flakes, olive oil, honey and soy sauce to create a delicious Asian-inspired marinade that’s perfect for chicken or pork.
Making tangerine jam at home is a great way to make use of the abundance of fruit during the citrus season. It’s also a jam that you are not likely to find to buy, and I think this makes it even more special.
Not only does it taste delicious, but with this recipe, you can also customize the sweetness and texture to your liking. Whether you prefer something more tart or sweet, this homemade jam will be sure to please all your friends and family! It’s a lovely spring preserve, to enjoy and to share as a gift.
So go ahead: put on an apron, grab some fruits and start making a batch of delicious tangerine jam today!
Tangerine Jam Recipe
Equipment
- Kitchen scales
- Chopping board and knife
- Blender OR Food processor
- Muslin
- Preserving pan or large saucepan
- Long-handled spoon for stirring
- Ladle
- Jam Funnel
- Clean, sterilised glass jars with sealable lids
Ingredients
- 1 kg tangerines peeled and in segments
- 800g-1kg sugar
- 1 lemon
- 1 large orange
Instructions
- Wash the tangerines , orange and lemon, and drain off excess water.
- Juice the whole lemon and the orange and set aside the juice. Keep the seeds.
- Peel the tangerines. Try to remove most of the white pitch or membranes as possible. Keep the seeds. Chop up the fruit flesh.
- Blend the tangerine pulp gently and empty this into the preserving pan.
- Add the lemon juice, orange juice and sugar and stir well to combine.
- Put the seeds into a tied square of muslin and add to the mixture. This is to access the pectin contribution from the seeds.
- Over medium heat keep stirring to encourage the sugar to dissolve completely.Once the sugar is dissolved, turn up the heat to bring the fruit blend to a boil for 30-40 minutes, stirring regularly.
- Carefully taste the mixture for sweetness and add more sugar if needed.
- As the mixture thickens and coats the spoon start testing for the set point, either with the Wrinkle test or using a candy thermometer.
- Remove the muslin bag containing the seeds.
- If not yet set then continue to cook for periods of 10 minutes, re-testing for the set point until it is achieved. Note that the jam will continue to thicken as it cools.
- Once this has happened, ladle the jam into your prepared jars, wipe the rims with damp kitchen paper and seal them with lids.
- Allow the jam to cool completely at room temperature. Then label and store in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months. Or freeze for longer.
Notes
TIPS for Tangerine Jam
1. Use ripe juicy tangerines for the best flavour.
This brings the full flavour of the tangerine to work in this jam. You may want to add the flesh of some oranges, clementines or mandarins and turn this into a wonderful orange citrus jam party! Add a small amount of the very surface zest of the tangerines (avoid all/any of the white part of the peel as bitterness lies this way.) The citrus oils in the zest can just turn up the volume of the citrus flavour and aroma. You can omit this option to ensure that bitterness risk is limited as far as possible.2. Use the seeds for their natural pectin contribution.
Tangerine pulp is low in pectin, but you can use the seeds to add more pectin to your jam. To use them, tie the seeds in a muslin bag and simmer them along with the fruit and sugar. The lemon juice also supports the set of the jam. You can also add the seeds from the lemon to this bag for the same reason. If the fruits you have do not have many or any seeds, your options to realise a satisfying set to the jam include:- Using a thickener of your choice to adjust the consistency of the jam to your preference. This may include consideration of a commercial pectin product – be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on its use for optimal results.
- Allow the fruit, water and sugar mixture to cook for longer. This way the excess liquids evaporate, and the mixture starts to thicken naturally. Prolong the cooking time in stages of 10 minutes depending on how runny your jam is by the time you have worked through the recipe guidelines. Then test for the set point after each period until it is realised.
3. Add a splash of the liqueur
To enhance the flavour of your tangerine jam, consider adding a splash of liqueur. Grand Marnier, Cointreau, or Triple Sec are good options that pair well with the citrus flavour of tangerines and enhance the taste. Add the liqueur towards the end of the cooking process, after the jam has thickened. Start with a small amount, and taste as you go (mmm….) until you achieve the desired flavour. Remember, a little goes a long way, so don’t overdo it. 4. Do not use canned citrus for this recipe. But you can use frozen citrus fruits. These tips can help you make a delicious tangerine jam that’s sure to impress your friends and family. Enjoy!Ways to make your tangerine jam unique
Add some vanilla extract
Add a teaspoon or two of vanilla extract. This softens and blurs the edges of the punchy citrus taste for a truly melting experience.Change up the citrus
Instead of just tangerine, you can use clementines, oranges, lemons or lime for a slightly different taste. Or a combination of these!Play with honey or maple syrup
Adding any one of these sweeteners will give your jam a unique sweet twist as compared to using traditional white sugar alone in the recipe. You may also consider using your choice of brown sugar to add a luxurious caramel note to the jam.Spice it up!
Add some ground cinnamon, and/or ginger for a richer, taste note that goes extremely well with tangerines! But there is also star anise, all-spice, clove, nutmeg etc that you can play with.Incorporate herbs
Herbs such as mint and basil are delicious additions that go great alongside citrus flavours in jams like this one! Go and let your creativity fly!A few ideas on how to enjoy this tangerine jam
1. As a topping for cupcakes
Tangerine jam makes a delicious and vibrant addition to plain cupcakes, adding a unique flavour and colour.2. As part of a drizzle or glaze mix
Create an interesting drizzle or glaze by warming some tangerine jam in the microwave or on the stovetop until it becomes liquidy enough to drizzle over cakes, muffins and other desserts.3. Spread on toast
Toast a slice of your favourite bread and spread some tangerine jam over top for a delightful breakfast or snack! Add a slice of cheese on the side for a winning contrast.4. Add to oats or yoghurt
Stir some into your oats as a tasty topping. You can also add some to plain yoghurt for an extra fruity flavour.5. Make ice pops
This is one way that children especially will fall in love with this jam! Simply fill plastic moulds with equal parts fruit juice (like orange) and tangerine jam, mix so that they’re combined but still slightly separated from each other (so you end up with stripes), stick in popsicle sticks if desired, then freeze. Enjoy a cool, fruity treat!6. Mix into the cake batter
Stir some citrus jam into your favourite cake mix before baking for an extra dose of sweet tangy flavour. This works especially well with vanilla and butter cakes.7. Use as a filling for sandwich biscuits
Whip up a batch of sandwich biscuits using the tangerine jam as the filling for a unique twist. It goes particularly well with coconut or almond-flavoured biscuits.8. As part of a marinade
Combine tangerine jam with garlic, red pepper flakes, olive oil, honey and soy sauce to create a delicious Asian-inspired marinade that’s perfect for chicken or pork.Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
All nutritional information is an estimate only, based on third-party calculations derived from an online nutritional calculator, Spoonacular API. The data provided is a courtesy and should not be considered a guarantee or fact. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients and brands you use, your measuring methods and portion sizes. For accurate results, we recommend that you calculate the nutritional information yourself, using a preferred nutritional calculator or advice from a nutritionist, based on your ingredients and individual processes.