Mango Jam is a deliciously sweet and tropical spread that can brighten up your breakfast, snacks, or desserts. The richness of ripe mangoes, combined with sugar and a hint of lime, creates a luscious, smooth jam that you can easily make at home. Perfect for spreading on toast, drizzling over yogurt, or pairing with scones, Mango Jam brings the sweet taste of summer to your kitchen all year round.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 pounds mangoes, peeled and diced
• 4 cups sugar
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 packet (1.75 ounces) fruit pectin

Directions

1. In a large saucepan, combine the diced mangoes, sugar, lime juice, and water. Stir to combine.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. Continue to cook for about 10 minutes, or until the mangoes begin to break down.
3. Add the fruit pectin to the boiling mixture and stir well. Allow the jam to return to a boil and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
4. Test the jam for the desired consistency by placing a small spoonful on a chilled plate. If it thickens to your liking, it’s ready.
5. Pour the hot jam into sterilized jars and seal. Let cool before storing in the refrigerator.

Nutrients

• Calories: 60 kcal per tablespoon
• Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 16g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 15g
• Protein: 0g
• Sodium: 1mg

Mango Jam is a tropical and sweet spread that offers a burst of flavor, making it the perfect addition to a variety of dishes, from breakfast toast to desserts. The natural sweetness of mangoes blends beautifully with the tanginess of lime juice, creating a rich, smooth, and aromatic jam. Mangoes, often referred to as the “king of fruits,” bring an exotic, vibrant touch to this homemade jam, elevating it from a typical preserve to a delightful indulgence.

Whether you’re looking for a spread to complement your morning bread or a topping for desserts, Mango Jam adds a unique twist. Its smooth texture and golden hue make it not only a treat for the taste buds but also a visual delight. When made at home, it offers an opportunity to enjoy the mango’s sweet flavor all year round, preserving the essence of summer with every spoonful.

What’s more, making jam from scratch provides you with complete control over the ingredients, ensuring it’s free from preservatives and artificial additives that are often found in store-bought versions. Whether you’re making Mango Jam as a gift for friends or simply enjoying it yourself, this homemade jam is the perfect addition to any kitchen.

The Health Benefits of Mangoes in Mango Jam

While jams and preserves are often seen as indulgent treats, Mango Jam offers a surprising number of health benefits, especially due to the nutritional richness of mangoes. Mangoes are packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and dietary fiber, making them not only a delicious fruit but a nutrient-dense one as well. Here are some of the health benefits of mangoes that you’ll get from enjoying this homemade jam:

• Rich in Vitamin C: Mangoes are a fantastic source of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that supports the immune system, promotes healthy skin, and helps the body absorb iron. Vitamin C also has anti-aging properties, protecting the skin from environmental stressors and promoting collagen production.
• High in Antioxidants: Mangoes contain several antioxidants, including beta-carotene and polyphenols, which help fight against oxidative stress and protect the body from chronic diseases. The antioxidants in mangoes support eye health, boost immunity, and may help reduce the risk of certain cancers.
• Supports Digestive Health: Mangoes are also a good source of dietary fiber, which is essential for digestive health. Fiber promotes regular bowel movements, prevents constipation, and supports a healthy gut microbiome. Fiber is also beneficial for weight management as it helps you feel fuller for longer.
• Boosts Skin Health: The vitamin A in mangoes is key to maintaining healthy skin. Vitamin A promotes skin cell regeneration, which can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and provide a youthful glow.
• Low in Fat and Calories: Mangoes are naturally low in fat and calories, making Mango Jam a relatively guilt-free treat when enjoyed in moderation. While the sugar added to the jam increases its calorie content, it still retains many of the natural health benefits of mangoes, especially when compared to other sugary spreads.

By making Mango Jam at home, you’re able to enjoy these health benefits while treating yourself to a sweet, fruity spread that’s perfect for so many occasions.

The Role of Lime Juice in Mango Jam

Lime juice plays a key role in this Mango Jam recipe, adding a refreshing tang that enhances the natural sweetness of the mangoes. Lime juice is an essential component in fruit preserves, as its acidity helps balance out the sugar and acts as a natural preservative. Without lime juice, the jam could taste overly sweet, and its shelf life might be reduced.

Additionally, lime juice provides its own health benefits. It’s a good source of vitamin C, just like the mangoes, and adds a burst of citrus flavor that complements the tropical richness of the mango. The acidity from the lime also helps to thicken the jam, ensuring it sets to the right consistency.

The combination of lime and mangoes in the jam creates a flavor profile that is both bright and refreshing. This balance of sweet and tangy makes Mango Jam an irresistible topping for your morning toast or a unique addition to your favorite baked goods.

The Art of Making Homemade Mango Jam

Making Mango Jam at home is a rewarding process that allows you to capture the essence of summer and preserve it for colder months. The process involves cooking down ripe mangoes with sugar, lime juice, and pectin to create a thick, flavorful jam that can be enjoyed for weeks or even months.

The beauty of making jam is that it’s both a creative and customizable endeavor. While the basic ingredients of mangoes, lime, sugar, and pectin remain the same, you can experiment with different variations based on your taste preferences. For example, some people like to add a hint of vanilla or cinnamon to their mango jam to bring out more complexity in the flavor. Others may opt for a lower sugar version of the jam by adjusting the amount of sweetener used or opting for a sugar substitute.

Homemade jam also allows you to experiment with texture. If you prefer a smooth, spreadable jam, you can cook it down until it’s thick and silky. Alternatively, if you like a chunkier texture, you can leave some of the mango pieces intact or blend only part of the mixture. The beauty of homemade jam is that it’s a highly adaptable recipe that can be adjusted to suit individual tastes.

Storage and Shelf Life of Mango Jam

One of the benefits of making Mango Jam at home is that you can store it for a long time. If properly stored in sterilized jars and kept in a cool, dark place, homemade jam can last for several months. After opening the jar, it should be refrigerated and used within a few weeks. To ensure the longest shelf life, it’s important to follow proper canning techniques, which involve sterilizing the jars, sealing them correctly, and ensuring that the jam is stored in airtight containers.

For those who prefer to preserve their Mango Jam in the freezer, it’s a great way to store the jam for even longer. Freezing Mango Jam allows you to enjoy the sweet taste of summer months after the mangoes are out of season. When freezing, be sure to leave some room at the top of the jar for expansion and use a freezer-safe container to prevent freezer burn.

By storing your homemade Mango Jam properly, you can enjoy the tropical flavors of mangoes whenever you wish, no matter the time of year.

Creative Ways to Use Mango Jam

Mango Jam is incredibly versatile and can be used in many ways beyond the traditional spread on toast. Here are a few creative ideas to incorporate Mango Jam into your meals and snacks:

• As a Glaze for Meats: Mango Jam makes a delicious glaze for grilled meats, particularly chicken, pork, or fish. The sweet and tangy flavors of the jam caramelize beautifully when brushed on meat while cooking, creating a sticky and flavorful crust. The addition of lime juice in the jam adds a burst of citrus that pairs well with savory dishes.
• In Desserts: Mango Jam can be used as a filling for pastries, tarts, or cakes. You can spread it inside puff pastry for an easy, tropical treat or use it as a topping for cheesecakes, yogurt, or ice cream. The bright color and vibrant taste of Mango Jam make it a perfect ingredient for any dessert that needs a burst of tropical flavor.
• For Smoothies and Yogurt: A spoonful of Mango Jam mixed into your morning smoothie or yogurt adds a delicious tropical twist. The jam will provide natural sweetness and a smooth texture that enhances the creamy flavors of yogurt or the refreshing taste of a smoothie.
• In Sandwiches or Wraps: Add Mango Jam to your sandwiches or wraps for a sweet contrast to savory ingredients. It pairs well with turkey, chicken, or even cheese, adding a tropical kick to your lunch.
• As a Cocktail Ingredient: Mango Jam can be used as a base for tropical cocktails. Mix it with rum or vodka for a fruity drink, or combine it with sparkling water for a non-alcoholic refreshing beverage. The jam’s sweetness can also balance out the acidity of citrus juices in cocktails.

With its sweet and tangy flavor, Mango Jam is a versatile ingredient that can enhance both sweet and savory dishes, making it a must-have addition to your kitchen pantry.

Conclusion

Mango Jam is a tropical, sweet, and versatile spread that brings the flavors of summer into your kitchen year-round. Made from ripe mangoes, lime juice, and sugar, this homemade jam offers both delicious taste and numerous health benefits. Rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and fiber, Mango Jam is not only a treat for the taste buds but also provides nutritional advantages when enjoyed in moderation.

Making Mango Jam at home allows you to control the ingredients and customize the flavor and texture to your liking. Whether spread on toast, used as a glaze for meats, or incorporated into desserts, Mango Jam offers endless possibilities for culinary creativity. The process of canning and storing the jam ensures that you can enjoy the taste of fresh mangoes long after the season has ended, bringing a taste of the tropics to your table whenever you need it.