With Autumn fast approaching, now is the time to start preserving the summer’s fruit and veg. Preserving is the perfect way to make use of any excess fruits or vegetables and damaged or over-ripe fruit can actually make the best jams. Not only does preserving ensure that fruit and veg do not go to waste, but homemade jams and preserves can make delightful (and thrifty!) gifts for family and friends at Christmas.

Jams and jellies are easy to make with very few ingredients. There is a wide variety of jams you can make with many different fruits, however, Bramble jelly must be the cheapest as the main ingredient – blackberries – grow in abundance in hedgerows in both the countryside and even urban areas.

Whilst jam making can be a pleasure for some, if the thought of standing over a hot pan testing for setting points sounds like too much hard work then you could cheat and invest in a jam maker. Jam makers are simple to use, easy to clean and can produce delicious jam in as little as 25 minutes.

With numerous recipe books dedicated to the subject of jams, chutneys and other preserves, you’re sure to find something to inspire you!