Grape Honey

 Ingredients: well-ripened and as sweet as possible grapes - sugar (if needed)

Wash and drain the grapes well, ensuring they are clean and free of impurities. Once the grapes are prepared, carefully remove them from the bunches, taking care not to crush them. Once you have all the grapes, it's time to crush them. Use a fruit crusher or a fork and press firmly to extract the juice from each grape. After crushing, strain the mixture through a fine sieve or cheesecloth to separate the pulp and juice from the skins and seeds. This process may require a little patience, but the effort will be worth it, as you will obtain a sweet and aromatic juice.

Put the obtained juice into a wide enamel pot, ideal for boiling. It is important that the pot is spacious, as the mixture will increase in volume during the boiling process. Bring the juice to a suitable heat, being careful not to make it too high to avoid burning. If the grapes you used are more acidic, add sugar to taste right from the beginning. The amount of sugar can vary depending on personal preferences and the acidity of the grapes.

During boiling, stir constantly with a wooden spatula so that it does not stick to the bottom of the pot. This step is essential to achieve an even consistency. The mixture will begin to thicken, and the juice will evaporate, making it resemble honey. Continue stirring until the composition becomes thick enough, which may take about 30-40 minutes. It is important to be careful and not let the mixture boil too much, as it risks becoming too dense.

Once the mixture reaches the desired consistency, pour it warm into sterilized jars. It is crucial that the jars are well sterilized to prevent any contamination. After filling the jars, cover them with lids and place them in a dry steam area so that they cool slowly. This process will help form a film on top, which will contribute to preserving the jam.

After they have completely cooled, seal the jars and store them in a pantry in a cool, dark place. Thus, you will have a delicious grape jam, perfect for enjoying on toast, as a filling for cakes, or simply as a delicacy. This traditional recipe offers you not only a tasty product but also a part of the gastronomic history of fruit preparations.

 Tags:  sugar