Dandelion Jam: Recipe

Dandelion jam completely preserves the beneficial properties of the plant. Dandelion belongs to primroses, grows everywhere, harvesting raw materials is an easily accessible and labor-intensive process. Jam is used as a dessert and for medicinal purposes.

The benefits and harms of dandelion jam

The composition of the product from dandelions contains proteins, carbohydrates, fats necessary for the normal functioning of the body. Also includes the following components:

• vitamins K, PP, group B, choline;
• ascorbic acid;
• potassium;
• zinc;
• calcium;
• iron;
• phosphorus;
• tocopherol.

Due to its beneficial properties, the plant is widely used in folk medicine. The chemical composition is involved in almost all body functions. Benefits of dandelion jam:

1. Has a sedative effect. Calms the nervous system, improves the quality of sleep.
2. Has antiviral properties. Prevents and treats seasonal infections, lowers the temperature, strengthens the body’s resistance.
3. Antioxidants tocopherol and ascorbic acid restore damaged cells, prevent the growth of cancer, prevent cardiovascular pathologies, normalize blood pressure, and slow down the aging process.
4. Improves the functioning of the endocrine system. Lowers blood sugar levels, normalizes hormonal levels.
5. Promotes milk production during lactation.
6. Participates in hematopoiesis. Reduces cholesterol, prevents anemia.
7. Regulates metabolic processes, acts as an absorbent, absorbs toxins and heavy metals.
8. Has a diuretic effect. Eliminates congestion in the urinary system, improves potency.
9. Promotes digestion, treats liver diseases, can be used as a choleretic agent.
10. Has anthelmintic properties.
11. Improves tone, restores energy.

It is not recommended to use dandelion jam in case of an allergic reaction and high acidity of gastric juice, since the product stimulates secretion production.

What helps cure dandelion flower jam

The range of application of the product is quite wide, the benefits of dandelion jam have been experimentally confirmed in the treatment of:

• dysbacteriosis, manifested by constipation;
• flatulence;
• prostate adenomas;
• diabetes mellitus;
• atherosclerosis;
• thrombosis;
• helminthiasis;
• bronchitis, viral infections, flu;
• malignant tumors;
• hepatitis, cirrhosis;
• herpes;
• gastritis with low acidity;
• anemia;
• leukemia;
• tuberculosis.

The product normalizes metabolic processes, is indicated for obesity.

How to make dandelion jam

Dandelion jam is brewed only from the flowers of the plant, raw materials are harvested in the spring during mass flowering. To obtain a product with the maximum content of useful properties, certain conditions are met:

1. Flowers are large, fully opened, bright yellow. The beneficial properties of the plant are enhanced after two years of age. Half-blown or faded dandelions are not suitable for jam. The main concentration of active substances is found in pollen.
2. Flowers are plucked or cut with scissors, put in a bag, glass or enameled container. Do not take metal utensils for collection to prevent oxidation.
3. After harvesting, dandelions are poured onto white paper or cloth. There may be insects in the flowers, after a few minutes they will leave the plant and move to a white surface.
4. Raw materials are soaked for 2 hours before cooking, if it is necessary to make dandelion jam for medicinal purposes, the measure is not relevant. The beneficial properties of the product will be higher without soaking, but there will be bitterness in the taste.

Jam is prepared from freshly picked dandelions, dried flowers are not suitable for this purpose, the beneficial properties of the plant are not fully preserved.

Where and how to collect dandelion flowers for jam

Dandelions are harvested for jam approximately in early or mid-May, when the plant enters the active phase of flowering. Useful properties at this time reach a maximum level. Damaged or small flowers are not plucked. Dandelions form several stems up to 10 cm high. The older the plant, the stronger the foliage, the longer the stems and the larger the flowers.

For the harvesting of raw materials, a forest edge or a clearing outside the settlement is chosen. Inappropriate place for collecting dandelions:

• industrial urban area;
• next to the landfill;
• near treatment facilities;
• cattle grazing areas;
• city ​​parks and squares where pets are walked;
• gas stations;
• roadsides.

In rural areas, the environmental situation is several orders of magnitude higher than in urban areas. Dandelions can be collected everywhere, except for public places and sanitary areas.

Classic dandelion jam recipe

For the recipe you will need the following ingredients:

• dandelion flowers – 300 pcs.;
• sugar – 750 g;
• citric acid – 1 tsp;
• water – 1,5 cups.

Ingredients can be reduced or increased, observing the declared ratio of components. Below is a step-by-step recipe for dandelion jam with a photo.

The collected flowers are laid out on a white tablecloth, reviewed, green fragments are removed at the base. Only the yellow part is used for jam.

The prepared raw materials are put in a colander, washed under a tap, placed in a container, filled with water. Leave for 4-5 hours. Then, using a slotted spoon, dandelions are taken out, laid out on a flat surface to evaporate excess moisture.

Mix sugar with water, put on a slow fire, boil the syrup, stirring constantly. When the crystals are completely dissolved, add dandelion flowers, continue to boil on the same fire mode – 20 minutes, constantly stir and remove the foam.

Containers with jam are allowed to cool and cleaned until morning in the refrigerator. The next day, they put a wide pan on it with a colander and gauze on top. Put dandelion jam.

When the syrup has completely drained, the edges of the gauze with flowers are collected in a bundle and the remnants are squeezed out.

The squeezed syrup with dandelion is put on fire, depending on the desired density of the product, boil for 20-35 minutes. Before completion, add citric acid.

Hot jam is poured into sterilized containers, rolled up with lids and put away for storage. If part of the product is left for consumption, the container is covered with a nylon lid and put in the refrigerator.

Thick jam from dandelion flowers

Jam according to the classic recipe turns out to be of medium density of bright amber color. The consistency of the product can be made thicker to the state of jam. Recipe for dandelion jam with pectin:

• flowers – 200 pcs.;
• water – 3 glass;
• sugar – 3 glass;
• pectin powder – 4 tsp;
• citric acid – ½ tsp.

Sequence of preparation:

1. Water is poured into the container, pre-prepared flowers are placed.
2. Boil 10 minutes.
3. Remove from heat, leave for 5 hours.
4. Squeeze the raw material through gauze.
5. Put on fire, when the juice boils, gradually introduce sugar, constantly stirring.
6. Cook on low heat for 15 minutes.
7. Pectin is diluted according to the instructions, added to the syrup before cooking is completed, kept on fire to the required density.
8. Before removing the pan from the heat, pour out the citric acid.

Jam is packaged in jars, closed with lids. The dessert retains its beneficial properties for 24 months.

How to make dandelion and orange jam

Subject to the proportions and technology of preparation, the product will turn out to be orange in color with a subtle citrus smell. According to the recipe, dandelion flower jam is prepared with orange zest and pulp. Ingredients:

• flowers – 0,250 g;
• medium-sized oranges – 3 pcs.;
• sugar – 750 g;
• water – 1,5 l.

Action sequence:

1. The flowers are sorted out, green fragments are cut off.
2. Pour in water, put in the refrigerator for a day to remove bitterness.
3. Then laid out on a napkin, dried.
4. Cut orange into cubes.
5. Put in a container, pour the required amount of water according to the recipe.
6. Put on fire, boil for 60 minutes over medium heat.
7. The broth is allowed to cool, squeezed through gauze, the cake is thrown away.
8. Put sugar in the liquid, boil for 30-40 minutes.

Taste, if desired, you can add sugar or citric acid. After boiling, the product is packed in jars, rolled up with lids. Useful properties of jam with orange retains about 3 years. The dessert can be stored in a plastic container in the refrigerator.

How to take dandelion jam

Dandelion jam (pictured) is an amber, medium-thick substance. The taste of the product is specific, so a large amount is unlikely to be consumed. As a dessert, a few spoonfuls with toast and tea or coffee are enough. It can be used with pancakes, pancakes, used as an impregnation between the cakes in the preparation of the cake. If there are no chronic diseases, the daily norm is no more than 8 tablespoons.

If dandelion jam is used as a medicine, it is recommended to adhere to the norm:

• during pregnancy, if there are no contraindications and an allergic reaction, the product is used to improve tone in the morning (1 tablespoon), the same amount in the evening to improve sleep;
• with edema of various etiologies, the daily dosage is 4-5 tbsp. l.;
• for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, the daily norm is no more than 4 tablespoons;
• as a prevention of colds, jam is consumed every morning, 2 tbsp. l., washed down with hot milk;
• for heart diseases, take jam for 21 days in the morning and in the evening, 1 tsp.

The beneficial properties of dandelion jam are used to cleanse the body of toxins. Use the product in a sauna or bath. Before the steam room take 4 spoons of herbal tea. The product acts as a diaphoretic.

How to take dandelion jam for weight loss

One of the beneficial properties of dandelion is a diuretic and diaphoretic action. With excess weight, fluid accumulates in the tissues, swelling appears. Jam helps to cope with the problem. The components in its composition are involved in protein metabolism, break down fats, remove toxins, and eliminate constipation. Eliminating all the negative factors that accompany obesity, dandelion promotes weight loss. The beneficial properties of the product for weight loss are to maintain the required composition of vitamins and trace elements with a simple or salt-free diet.

According to those who have lost weight from dandelion jam, weight loss is noted 14 days after ingestion. The course of treatment is unlimited, use 1 tbsp. l. 30 minutes before meals. If the diet is fractional, the dandelion product is taken at intervals of 4 hours.

How to store dandelion jam

According to reviews, the duration of storage of dandelion jam, subject to the cooking technology, is at least 2 years. After readiness, the product is poured into pre-sterilized jars. Seal hot with sterile lids. Dandelion juice is prone to fermentation, and jam is no exception. To preserve the useful properties of the product, the jars are placed in a room without lighting at a constant temperature of not more than +5⁰ C.

Limitations and contraindications

Dandelion jam has a significant set of useful properties, but there are also contraindications:

1. Not recommended for children under 4 years of age. The product may cause an allergic reaction.
2. During breastfeeding, do not exceed the dosage (2 tsp).
3. With intolerance to the substances contained in the composition of the plant, dandelion dessert is not consumed.
4. Do not use the product for peptic ulcer of the digestive tract.
5. At the time of exacerbation of gastritis occurring against the background of increased acidity, it is also not recommended to use jam.
6. If bowel movements are disturbed (frequent diarrhea).

The chemical composition of dandelion can significantly worsen the condition.

Conclusion

Dandelion jam has a high taste and numerous useful properties. The product is used as a dessert and for the treatment of a number of pathologies. The plant is easily accessible, grows throughout Our Country. Due to the structure, dandelion seeds scatter over considerable distances, occupying large areas, so there are no problems with the procurement of raw materials.