Preserving fresh fruits back in the day is done through jam-making. Fruit cravings are well satisfied by jams, even if that fruit is not in season. Over the years, jams and preserves have become a popular treat for everyone of every age. This delectable spread enhances every snack with its natural sweetness complemented with the fruits’ distinct taste.
Nowadays, you can find different fruit jams in groceries, but nothing beats a homemade one. If you want to make something that will surely taste rich and natural, use a copper pan in cooking it. A Matfer Bourgeat copper jam pan is the best one to get. The brand makers have dedicated no less than two centuries to producing quality copper pans.
Read more about copper pans and how they can make the best jams through the discussion below!
A Copper Pan Is Your Best Friend In Jam-Making
The French way of making jam, which is over 200 years, is definitive proof of copper jam pan’s reliability in preserving fresh fruits. A copper pan is the best cookware if you wish to make the perfect homemade jam. It will help you produce the right amount of sweetness, a vibrant fruit color, and that nice jam texture.
1. Excellent Heating Ability
Copper is the best heat conductor. As a pan, it heats your fruit mixture fast. The water in your mix evaporates fast, which will lead to lesser cooking time. Faster cooking is one of the most important things you need in jam-making- this will keep the natural taste of fruit and avoid sugar crystallization. You would not want any undissolved sugar in your jam, right?
2. Even Heat Distribution
You do not have to worry about cooking hot spots as the heat is well-distributed in the pan, which means the fruit mixture is evenly cooked. This would also mean that less stirring is required if you are using a copper pan.
3. Cools Down Fast
Unlike pans made of other materials like stainless steel, you will notice how fast a copper pan cools down as you remove it from the heat. This characteristic is crucial in jam-making to avoid over-cooking the jam leading to further breakdown of fruit and its flavor, leading to undesirable jam texture.
4. Handles
There are two handles in a jam pan. These two handles will help you carry the pan with less worry of any spillage as you move around the kitchen.
5. Wide and Aslant Pan Opening
Most copper pans have larger slanted openings compared to their bottom part. This opening gives more room for all the liquid in your mixture to evaporate much faster than those straight-sided pans where moisture flows back to whatever it is that you are cooking.
6. Deep Depth
With the depth of a copper pan, you will worry less about liquid drips on your stove that require extra cleaning after every cooking session. The deepness of the pan also gives you enough room for trouble-free stirring.
Several brands offer the same features, but some offer lined copper pans. This lining lessens the heat conductivity of copper, which will not give you the perfect jam you desire. If you want to experience all the wonders of copper cookware, make sure to check if it is indeed 100% made of copper. Or, simply choose Matfer Bourgeat copper jam pans.
Two Things You Should Know Before Making Jam In A Copper Pan
Copper pans are way more expensive than those made of stainless steel because of the laborious work needed in making one. Maximize the use of your pan by knowing how to use it properly. What’s with the Matfer Bourgeat copper jam pan that makes it good? Continue reading to find out.
Remove The Lacquer
Before making your first batch of jams, make sure to remove all the protective coating on your copper pan. Why? Cooking without removing the coat will result in burned lacquer. The burned lacquer will leave unwanted black spots on your pan that are hard to remove. To get rid of the coating, follow the steps below:
- On a pot, boil water, then put in a mixture of 1 teaspoon of baking soda for every cup of water.
- Submerged your pot in the boiling mixture for about 20-30 minutes. You will see the lacquer is peeling off.
- Turn off the heat and remove your copper pan from the mixture.
- Scrub your pan in warm water using a dishcloth. For spots that are hard to remove, you may use a toothbrush.
- After removing all the lacquer, wash your copper pan in warm soapy water using a mild dishwashing liquid.
- Dry the pan completely using a cloth.
- Using a new cloth, buff your copper pan until you achieve a smooth and gleaming finish.
Toxic Reaction With Anything Acidic
Before starting a jam project, you need to know that acidic fruits are not on good terms with a copper pan. However, do not be sad as there is a way to make jam out of acidic fruits. The essential ingredient is sugar- it hinders any toxic chemical reaction between the acidic fruit and metal. If you are about to make an orange or lemon jam, never put it directly onto your pan- you have to mix the fruit well with sugar first in a different bowl.
How To Clean A Copper Jam Pan?
Here are two tips for cleaning your copper jam pan properly.
- Wash your pan immediately after using it. Use a mild dishwashing liquid and warm water in cleaning your pan. Using a towel, make sure every inch is completely dry. All of these will help prevent any stain or tarnish on your pan.
- For a polished look, buff your pan a couple of times. You may also use copper cleaners with a consistency like a paste. Rub the cleaner on the whole pan using a sponge. Wash out the cleaner, then buff the pan with a cloth.
Conclusion
Matfer Bourgeat copper jam pans are considered one of the best copper jam pans in the market. You will not regret investing in a brand that produces pans for centuries already. Their long service proves their excellent craftsmanship which thrives over the years. Up to now, even with new brands emerging, Matfer remains a trusted one as it always gives notable jam pans. It will help you preserve fresh fruits fast and easily.
Wait no more and grab yourself a jam pan to get that same natural fruity jam your granny made back in their days, one that is fresh and rich in fruit flavor. Discover more awesome things about copper pans here!