If you are lucky enough to have some roses in your garden, you can make a delicious rose jam. It’s sweet, fragrant and a delight to eat with bread or biscuits! It’s easy to make and the result is a delicious spread that can be used year-round.

How to Make Rose Jam

To begin, you’ll need a pan, heat-proof wooden or silicone spoons, jars and a jelly bag or canning funnel. You’ll also need to sterilize your jars and lids, which should be done in a pot of boiling water before pouring in the jam.

You’ll also need to use liquid pectin and rose water, which are both available in most supermarkets. For best results, use roses you grow yourself and avoid using florist roses as they are often sprayed with pesticides and fungicides.

What You Need

Step One: Trim the rose petals and wash them well to remove any dirt or debris. Then, place them in a large bowl and cover with cold water to refrigerate for 1 hour.

Next, drain and pat dry the petals with a clean towel or paper towel. You can use a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth to collect the remaining water and juice.

Once the petals are strained, add them to the sugar and lemon juice mixture. Simmer over low heat, stirring constantly until the sugar has completely dissolved.

If the mixture looks too thin, increase the heat and simmer until it has thickened. It may take a little longer, but be patient and the end product will be worth the wait!

You can add more pectin or lemon juice to the mixture at this stage to make it more firm. The amount of pectin and lemon juice will depend on the type of fruit used for the jam.

Step Two: Simmer the rose petals and sugar in a non-reactive saucepan, over medium heat, until the roses have softened and released their flavor. This will take about 10 minutes.

After this, you’ll want to reduce the heat and simmer the jam for 5-10 minutes, until it starts to thicken and set. You can check this by dropping a few drops of the jam on a plate and tilting it. If it wrinkles slightly, you’ve reached setting point and the jam is ready to pour into a jar.

The Jam Will Keep for 12 Months if Stored in Sterilised Jars

When you are ready to enjoy this beautiful treat, simply put the jam into a sterilised jar and leave it in a cool cupboard for at least a few months before eating it. You’ll be surprised at how much better it tastes than store-bought varieties!

This sweet and floral jam will be a lovely addition to your baking or a simple breakfast on a Sunday morning. It’s perfect on toast, muffins and scones and will add a gorgeous flavour to any afternoon tea. You can also use it as a topping for desserts, such as cupcakes or cakes, or as a dip for fruit or nuts.