Loquat Jam
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This easy, ginger and vanilla infused loquat jam recipe comes together in about 30 minutes on the stove. Learn how to make loquat jam with water bath canning instructions included for year long enjoyment. It’s a fabulous way to preserve either a small batch of loquats, or use the excess from your tree!
There’s something special about homemade jam. I’ve shared homemade strawberry Jam, pomegranate jelly, pear butter, pomegranate cranberry jam, and all are truly delicious. BUT, this one is unique guys, and oh so delicious.
Living in California, I have access to a LOT of produce, but until last year, I’d never heard of a loquat before. It was only at this ONE u-pick orchard that I could even get them. If you have a tree and it’s excess fruit is bringing you here…I’m jealous.
Now that I know about the loquat, I battle the horde of other ‘in the know’ people at the u-pick for my bag of them and immediately head home to make this loquat jam. It’s a small batch since that’s all I ever have enough for, but it can be easily doubled or tripled for those with more fruit to work with.
What’s a Loquat?
One major benefit of living surrounded by amazing California produce and it’s growers means I can talk directly to the people producing it!
He told me I could liken it to a tart, slightly more tropical apricot. They’re delicate and don’t travel well, which is why they’re not a grocery store fruit. But that shouldn’t stop us from eating them!
Turns out they’re actually known as a Japanese plum, and are a fruit native to China. There are tons of varieties, almost 800 but only a few are grown in California. The flesh is bright yellow and both the large seeds and skin come off remarkably easily.
Read more about them in my complete Loquat guide!
Loquat Jam Ingredients
Aside from the gorgeous fruit, there are a few other simple ingredients you need to make this loquat jam recipe.
- Loquats – even for a small batch like this, you’ll need about 2lbs of fruit. After seeds and skins are removed, it’s less than you think!
- Vanilla Bean – I love fresh vanilla in jam, and seeds are lovely to look at suspended in jam, but you can also use 3 teaspoons of vanilla extract instead.
- Ginger – I prefer ground because it adds flavor but not texture. To use fresh ginger, substitute 1 tablespoon of grated ginger.
- Sugar – Just white, granulated sugar.
How to make Loquat Jam
The more I make homemade fruit and veggie preserves the more I realize just how simple it is! I’ve included both instructions for making the jam, and instructions for water bath canning your loquat ginger jam for safe shelf storage. If you’re canning and not experienced, please read the canning instructions BEFORE you start cooking. It takes some timing.
- First, process the 2 lbs of loquats. Simply cut them in half, remove the seeds and peel off the skin. There is a small layer of thin white pith beneath the seeds, peel that off as well.
- When all your fruit is cleaned, chop it into small chunks. It will break down further with cooking.
- If using fresh vanilla bean, split the pod and scrape out the seeds. Reserve the pod.
- Combine the fruit, sugar, ginger, and vanilla (pod included) into a large saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir until the sugar dissolves, then continue to stir every few minutes, dragging a spoon over the bottom of the pan to prevent sticking and scorching.
- Continue to cook until the loquats have broken down into small pieces (like the size of peppercorns), and the mixture has thickened to a dense syrup. When you can drag your spoon along the bottom at the jam very slowly fills it back in and clings to the spoon, you’re done. This took 25 minutes for me. Remove the vanilla bean pod.
- Proceed with canning, or pour in clean jars and store in the fridge for up to 1 month once cooled.
The longer you cook it, the thicker it will be. While this is not harmful or inedible in any way, to achieve the spreadable jam consistency, do not cook too long. It will thicken as it cools, so stop while the mixture still moves with some fluidity.
Pro Tip: If your fruit is still in large chunks when the jam begins to thicken use the back of a wooden spoon, or a potato masher to break it down quickly.
Water Bath Canning (optional)
Because this is a small batch recipe, whether you choose to process it for long term storage is completely up to you. 2 pounds of loquats cooks down into a surprisingly small amount, only about 12 ounces of jam. I chose to can mine in small 4 ounce jars so I can enjoy it all year.
You’ll need:
- A large canning pot with canning rack – You can buy a canning pot, or use a large wide stock pot and simply buy an insert that keeps the jars from the bottom of the pot (shattered jars are no fun!).
- Jar clamps – This is essential, trust me!
- Hand Protection – I like to use thick gloves, but my mom goes with towels, just be aware those jars will be HOT.
- Funnel – A good wide mouth one works well for canning.
- Ladle – I like a nice metal one for working with hot jam, especially if you can get one with a hook that holds it on the side of the pot.
- 8 ounce mason jars(or whatever jars you choose to use) – I like 8 ounce jars because I go through it faster, which means more jam variety in my fridge, but you can use any jar with NEW lids.
- You can also buy a canning set, but there are tools in there I never use, so that’s up to you!
To water bath can your jam:
- Before you start cooking your recipe fill your canning pot with enough water to cover your canning jars by 1 inch. Bring it to a boil over high heat.
- While your cooking place your clean jars in the pot of boiling water for a minute or so to warm them up. This prevents cracking from a temperature difference when you add the hot food to them.
- Remove them from the water with your jar clamps and place them on a towel upside down to let the water run out. Make sure your jar clamps are angled as the picture shows below to prevent hot water from running down onto your hand or stove.
- When your preserves are done, flip the jars over using your hand protection, they’ll still be hot.
- Using your funnel and ladle, fill jars immediately with your hot preserves, leaving ¼” of space between the rim and the jam.
- Wipe the rims clean carefully with a warm, damp paper towel then dry them completely. This is important for the jam to seal properly.
- Place seals on and using your hand protection, screw on the lids as tightly as you can. Then use your jar clamps to submerge the jars in the boiling water again.
- Allow to ‘process’ in the boiling water for 10 minutes. Remove and set them on a towel, (they’ll be very hot!) and leave them at room temperature until each lid has ‘popped’
Pro Tip: You’ll know the jars are ready for the cupboard when you hear a ‘pop’ of the seal locking. You can also check this by pushing down on the center of the seal. If it clicks, it isn’t done yet. This can take up to 24 hours, so be patient!
FAQ’s
Absolutely, sub in 3 teaspoons for 1 fresh vanilla bean.
Yes. One tablespoon of finely minced or shredded ginger is equivalent of about 1/4 teaspoon ground.
Yes! To freeze your jam, place the cooked loquat jam in clean, freezer safe containers, leaving about 1 inch of space between the jam level and the top of the container. Let cool completely at room temperature. Then cover and freeze for up to 1 year.
Absolutely! If loquats weren’t so hard to get around here, I’d definitely make a large batch! You can double or even triple this with no problem, just increase the other ingredients accordingly.
Freshly cooked jam can be stored in a fridge for up to 1 month. If you choose to freeze or can your jam, it’s stable for up to a year. Once opened however, you should consume if within a month.
Nope! This loquat jam recipe requires no pectin. They’re naturally high in pectin which means they’ll set into a lovely jam with just some sugar and a bit of time.
Enjoy your Loquat Jam!
I’m a big fan of tart and sweet jams. It’s refreshing to have a break from the heavily sweet store bought jams, or those made with really sweet fruit.
I love this particular jam on toast, waffles, and other warm baked goods. It’s also perfect for filling sandwich cookies like my Shortbread cookies!
Wherever you might enjoy a sweet fruit, try substituting this jam, I think you’ll be happy you did! I’d love to hear what you think of this small batch loquat jam or any variations you make. Until then, happy eating!
You may enjoy these other loquat recipes…
Loquat Jam
Ingredients
- 2 lbs loquats*
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1 whole vanilla bean or 3 tsp extract
- 1/4 tsp ginger, ground or 1 tbs fresh ginger, minced
Instructions
Loquat Jam (see below for canning instructions)
- Remove seeds, the white pith beneath the seeds, and skins from loquats. Chop to small dice.
- Split your vanilla bean with the tip of a small knife and gently scrape the seeds from the pod out. Reserve both.
- Combine chopped fruit, ginger, sugar, and both the vanilla bean seeds and pod in a large saucepan over medium heat.
- Cook, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Continue to stir occasionally to prevent sticking or burning, until fruit has broken down to small pieces and the jam has thickened enough to cling to the spoon and leave a trail on the bottom of the pan when the spoon is dragged through. About 25 minutes. Discard the vanilla bean pod.
- If canning, proceed as instructed below. If freezing or storing in the fridge, ladle into clean jars and leave about an inch from the top of the jar to the top of the jam. Let it cool completely then seal and store.
- If canned or frozen, this jam lasts up to 1 year. If stored in the fridge, or once opened from the cupboard or freezer, this lasts one month.
Water Bath Canning
- Before you begin cooking your jam, fill a large canning pot with enough water to cover your jars by 1 inch when submerged. Bring to a boil over high heat (make your jam while this happens).
- Set out 4 clean 4 ounce jars (or more if doubling, etc) with NEW lids and seals on a clean towel.
- When your jam is almost finished cooking, place your jars in the boiling water to warm them. This only takes a minute. Remove from the water, drain off excess water, and flip upside down on the towel to dry.
- When the jam is done, use hand protection to flip over the jars. Using a ladle and funnel pour in the jam, leaving 1/4 inch of space from the top of the jam to the rim of the jar.
- Wipe any jam from the rim and dry the rims. Then place the seals and lids on, using hand protection to handle the hot jars. Tighten the lids hand tight and use your tongs to submerge them back into the water.
- Let them process for 10 minutes. Then remove to the towel to cool and seal. When the lids 'pop' or no longer click or move when pressed upon, the jam is ready for cupboard storage for up to 1 year.
- Alternatively, if freezing, simply place jam in freezer safe containers with 1 inch of space from the rim, and let cool completely on the counter. Then freeze up to one year.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published 7/6/2019, Updated 4/1/2020
Nutrition information and cooking times are provided as a best estimate. Values may vary based upon ingredients and equipment.
This recipe came out so well. I used fresh ginger and a vanilla bean pod. I would definitely stick with the 25 or 30 minute cook mark for spreadable consistency, like the recipe says. I went over that time by a little and it came out thicker than I would have liked, but otherwise soooo good.
Hi Nora, thanks so much for sharing how your jam making went! I’m glad you like the flavors and are enjoying it :). If you want to loosen it up a bit, just pop however much jam you want to use in the microwave for a few seconds (very brief) and it should loosen up enough to spread!
This jam was super awesome! The entire family enjoyed it and we will be making it again soon.
That’s so great to hear Heidy, I’m glad you guys enjoyed!
It was fun learning about this fruit! I had never heard about it until now and it sounds amazing. If I can ever get my hands on it I will definitely give this recipe a try!
Hi Kacey, I’m glad I could introduce you to the loquat. If you’re interested in finding them, I’d start at any local orchards or u-pick places near you. Or you might ask at your farmers market, someone selling other stone fruit like cherries, peaches etc may know where you can look!
Sounds delicious. I love that you added ginger. I will definitely make this.
I hope you enjoy Natalie
Wowie the loquat’s are so darn cute and this jam sounds so good! Such a fun activity to make jam too :)!
It is a fun thing to do, I hope you get a chance to try it out Daniela, thanks for stopping by.
Yum, this jam looks so perfect! I have never made homemade jam before, but this looks like the perfect recipe to start with! Thanks for sharing.
I hope it helps you use up some loquats and that you have a fun first jamming experience!
Making jam always reminds me of summers in the kitchen with my mom. The ginger and vanilla are going to add such a unique flavor to the jam. Can’t wait to make this and give to my neighbors and friends!
We had similar childhoods Tara! I hope this is a fun reminiscent experience for you, enjoy!
Looks really great, especially inside the cookies!
Aw, thanks Paige!
Thanks so much for all your detailed instructions and tips! I don’t have a lot of experience with canning, so that was super helpful! I’m so excited to eat this — I think it will go really well on my toast tomorrow! 🙂
So glad to hear you found this helpful Amy, enjoy!
I love how helpful and detailed your instructions were! When I get my hands on some loquats, I’m totally making this jam!
I’m glad to hear it Alena, it’s a unique and delicious fruit!
This was a very disappointing recipe. The vanilla overwhelmed everything and I even cut back on the vanilla. Vanilla should not be an ingredient let alone so much of it. The ginger amount is way to little if you want to taste it. I added juice from 2 lemons and the peel from 1, extra extra ginger, honey, salt and cinnamon to try and redeem it. Very disaapointing.
Hi Mary, I’m of course saddened to hear that you didn’t enjoy the jam. I personally love the vanilla in it, but that’s easily one of the most difficult part of recipe development, it’s impossible to please everyone’s personal tastes. Since I’ve had other reviewers who feel differently and have enjoyed it as I have, I can only say thank you for giving it a try, and I wish you the best of luck finding a recipe more suited to your preferences next time. Happy canning!
Hi …I never made loquat jam with vanilla and ginger before. Not bad at all. Glad it was for a small batch. As you have discovered, preparing the loquats is the most difficult part. I have a loquat tree in my front yard and it is just beginning to have ripe fruit. Some of the fruit is way too high for me to reach , and I am too old to be climbing a ladder. I live in Florida where loquats asre very plentiful and never for sale in stores.
Hi Marilyn! Thank you for sharing your experience with the jam. They are laborious to prep, so true! I live in California and the only place to get them near me is a teeny tiny u-pick orchard, it’s hard to get enough to make any more than a small batch. I go snag some and make a batch as soon as I can so I can have a little taste all year. I’m glad you liked the flavors I included, it’s hard to beat that pure loquat taste.