How to make the perfect homemade jam and the common mistakes to avoid

We are right in the middle of soft fruit season, so what better time to begin your jam-making journey than now? Luckily, Darina Allen is on hand with her tips and tricks to jam-making - from sterilising your jars to choosing the right fruit, she's got you covered

Homemade jam is ready in under ten minutes.

Choose your fruit well

For really good jam, the fruit must be freshly picked, dry and unblemished. Slightly under-ripe fruit will have more pectin and so the jam will set better. Jam made from fruit that was wet when picked is more likely to go mouldy within a short time.