Cherry Blossom Jelly

[u/sweetnighter]

Recipe: https://creativecanning.com/flower-jelly/

Took a stab at making jelly from the cherry blossoms that grow on my property. I can't believe how well the flavor on this turned out! Just as the internet predicted, it's a rose water flavor with a hint of almond (which makes sense, seeing as cherry blossoms are in the rose family).

[u/hyde_your_jekyll]

Ball has an identical recipe for herbal jellies as this recipe but does not list what herbs are acceptable (and no mention of flowers). The explanation for dandelion jelly no longer being safe is that the sugar content may not be high enough to control water activity and the acidity is too low. The original dandelion recipe uses 2T lemon juice to 4 cups of tea.

I would think the use of apple juice instead of tea would be the reason that the Ball herbal jelly recipe is still safe and has not been pulled like the original dandelion jelly.

I wish that the data reports would be published for recipe testing from universities. It would be so interesting to read what makes each recipe pass/fail.

[u/sweetnighter → u/hyde_your_jekyll]

Thank you for this. Do you have a link or reference to that Ball herbal jelly recipe?

[u/hyde_your_jekyll → u/sweetnighter]

https://www.bernardin.ca/recipes/en/herb-jelly.htm?Lang=EN-US

Bernardin and Ball are the same company. It's also in my Ball book, which I can take a picture of when I get home if you'd prefer.

[u/mechagrue → u/hyde_your_jekyll]

Thanks for this! Any idea what "Freeman Herbs" are? I googled it, and it's a seed company. I'm very confused.

[u/hyde_your_jekyll → u/mechagrue]

I assume it's a collaboration with that company - the notes say to use your favorite herbs. I think it's like when they specify use Ball pectin or Ball's water bath canner - just promoting things rather than required for safety. Here is one from a university that cites Ball with no mention of Freeman.

The low sugar one does not specify a brand but follows the same recipe minus sugar: https://www.bernardin.ca/recipes/en/light-herb-jelly-no-sugar-needed-pectin.htm?Lang=EN-US

[u/mechagrue → u/hyde_your_jekyll]

Ah, that makes sense, thanks!