Can I Use Tinned Peaches For The Soft Set Peach And Redcurrant Jam?

Our answer

Nigella's Soft-Set Peach And Redcurrant Jam (from HOW TO BE A DOMESTIC GODDESS) has chunks of coral-coloured peach set in a redcurrant jelly. The recipe uses fresh fruits that should be in season at the same time.

It is possible to make jam from tinned or canned fruits and as peaches are low in pectin using tinned peaches should not particularly affect the setting of the jam. However, as tinned peaches are already cooked we are concerned that they will break down into a puree while the jam boils and you will not get the chunks of fruit that make the jam stand out. So on balance we would prefer to use fresh peaches. Fruit for jam does not have to look perfect and using under-ripe fruits is actually slightly preferable as they are usually slightly higher in pectin (which helps the jam to set) and the flesh of the fruit is firmer, meaning it will hold its shape better when the jam boils.