Peach And Raspberry Jam

[cecil39]

I have a very old hand written recipe for the above jam that says to crack the peach stones and put the blanched kernels in with the fruit, can anyone tell me why please? as modern recipes do not say this, and I think it would be unpleasant to bite on one of these kernels in your jam.

[EcclesCake]

You remove them before jarring the jam, the kernels aid the settling process.

[woofgang]

They also add a slight almondy flavour to the jam
http://eat-drink-garden.com/2012/07/tuesday-tip-using-peach-kernels/

[EDDIE51]

The peach stone is like the shell of a nut,with the kernel as the actual 'nut' inside rather like an Almond. It is not the stone / shell that you put in the jam it is the 'nut' inside it. The cooking will soften the 'nuts' and make them edible.
The nuts also contain the pectin that makes the jam set.
Sounds like a good recipe, I am tempted to try it.

[woofgang]

you have to be careful. peach kernels can be bitter. blanching usually removes enough of the bitterness but i would put the kernels in a muslin bag and taste the jam as it cooks to be sure you won't end up with a batch of horrible jam!

[Mosaic]

Peach nuts taste like earwax.....just so you know how wise woofgang is.

[woofgang]

lol Mosaic.....have you done it too?

[Mosaic]

Oh if you haven't, you haven't lived

[woofgang]

given that they contain minute amounts of arsenic, do it too often and you might not live!!

[Mosaic]

How many fingers, in how many ears, woof?

[woofgang]

No! I didn't mean earwax!!! I meant peach kernels lol

[cecil39]

Thank you all, in all my years cooking I never knew that peach kernels tasted of almonds, or that they contain pectin, never to old to learn are we, I will be making that jam tomorrow so will let you know how it goes, we have a glut of peaches this year and want to use them up.

[cecil39]

The jam worked out fine, and is beautiful, the best jam I have ever tasted.