How To Make Serviceberry Jam

Perhaps not as commonly used as raspberries or blueberries, serviceberries have their own special place in the berry world. They have nutritional benefits, and they also taste good, so we're making a jam. Learn how to make serviceberry jam, to preserve your serviceberry harvest.

In our neck of the woods the kids called them "sugar berries", although this is not their proper name. The most common name for these berries is serviceberry.

As it turns out we have many large trees full of serviceberries at the farm. And I mean very large, tall and wide.

The trees have been there for generations, and must be at least thirty feet tall.

My father-in-law tells me that these serviceberry trees are over a hundred years old.

It's funny, my partner was always wanting me to try the "sugar berries".

He tells me that they would ride past these trees on the hay wagon when they were kids, and reach up into the branches for some tasty bites of these sweet little morsels, as they were passing by.

The berries are high up on the branches of these tall trees, and some hang down on the lower branches as well.

I never paid too much attention to these little berries.

Until I finally did.

I wish I had done so sooner.

And now I'm making jam.

What Is Serviceberry?

Serviceberry, who's scientific name is Amelanchier, is a native North American plant. Serviceberry grows widely throughout the United States and Canada.

There are many species of serviceberry. Some grow as shrubs, and others as trees.

They are all members of the rose family, or family Rosaceae.

They are known by other names, such as Saskatoon berry, Juneberry, Sugarplums, Sarvisberry and more.

In spring they produce white panicled flowers which attract the pollinators.

In summer they produce wonderful berries, which feed humans, as well as birds, and wildlife.

Many of the species also put on a wonderful display of colourful foliage in fall.

Are Serviceberries edible?

Serviceberries produce edible berries, and harvest time is dependent on the area where you live.

Some harvest serviceberries in June, and others not until August, as in our case.

They are a choice food for many birds when in season, and if you have a serviceberry shrub or tree, you will most likely have some competition for your harvest.

We harvested a large bowl of berries, and when we went back for more, the tree had been stripped by the birds.

I am certainly glad to share this harvest.

How To Make Serviceberry Jam

Serviceberry jam is easy to make.

Gather up the ingredients you will need.

INGREDIENTS:

Serviceberry jam is made from:

• 2 cups of serviceberries

• 1 and ½ cups of sugar

• 2 tablespoon lemon juice

• 1 tablespoon lemon peel

• ¼ cup of water

SUPPLIES YOU MAY NEED:

• Mason Jars

• Water Bath Canner

Directions For Making Serviceberry Jam

Harvest The Serviceberries

• To begin, you will first need to harvest the serviceberries while in season.

• It's important to catch them while you can, as remember you will have some competition (birds).

Sort The Berries

• Pour the berries on a cooking sheet to sort and separate.

• Pick out and discard the berries that are immature or ruined, and remove any existing stems.

• This part doesn't take long at all.

• It seems much easier than sorting wild blueberries, as no leaves seem to get in with the serviceberry harvest.

Make The Jam

• Place the berries in a saucepan, and heat on medium heat until they start to break down, and the juices start to flow.

• Add the sugar, and water to the mixture, and bring this to a boil.

• Next add the pectin, in the form of lemon juice and peel.

• Bring to a boil once again, and continue to cook until thickened.

• This will take about ten to fifteen minutes. Stir the mixture frequently to prevent sticking or burning.

Pour Into Jars

• Pour into sterilized mason jars, leaving a quarter inch gap at the top of the jar.

• We sterilize our jars in the oven for 10 minutes at 225°C, and at the same time boil the lids and other utensils for canning.

• Keep the jars hot in the oven until ready to use.

Place The Lids

• Wipe the lids of the mason jars to remove any jam that may be there.

• Place the lids on the jars and secure.

Further Sterilize

• Process in a water bath canner for ten minutes for further preservation.

NOTE:

• Do not overcook.

• The jam can become thick very quickly using this method, and the sugar can candy if cooked for too long.

• This happened to me at the fifteen minute mark.

• That's why we went back for more serviceberries.

What Do Service Berries Look Like?

Similar in appearance to blueberries, serviceberries are round and about one cm wide, more or less.

The berries grow in various stages of ripeness all on one cluster.

Serviceberry is a small burgundy coloured berry about the size of a large blueberry.

They vary in colour from maroon to a deep blue as they become fully ripe.

What Do Serviceberries Taste Like?

Service berries have a more subtle taste than the more popular berries that most of us are familiar with, at least in my opinion.

When I think of raspberries and strawberries and blueberries (some of my favourites), I can recall the flavour of each, as they all have unique and intense flavours.

Serviceberry is less intense, however still sweet and tasty. It reminds me most of a blueberry if I was to compare the flavour.

Are Serviceberries Good For You?

Serviceberry has been studied and found to contain numerous phytochemicals known to be beneficial to health, including organic acids and vitamin C among others.

Here is a great article from US National Library Of Medicine and National Institutes Of Health, highlighting the nutritional and medicinal benefits of serviceberry.

Is Saskatoon Berry The Same As Serviceberry?

Saskatoon Berry, also known as western serviceberry and Pacific serviceberry, is a species of serviceberry native to western Canada and Alaska.

Commonly found in the area of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, the city was actually named after this berry.

It is a favourite of many, and is known for it's more intense flavour.

Have you grown serviceberry, and made serviceberry jam? Be sure to leave a comment below to share your experience!

Other Posts You May Enjoy:

HOW TO MAKE DAYLILY JELLY- DAYLILY JELLY RECIPE

HOW TO MAKE LILAC JELLY ~ PRESERVE THE TASTE OF SPRING

FIREWEED JELLY

PIN IT FOR LATER!