Quince Jam with Saffron and Cardamom
Quince starts firm and pale, then softens into fragrant pieces during a slow simmer. This version uses saffron and cardamom, with a small cinnamon stick as an optional extra. Expect an amber-to-rosy colour rather than forcing a deep red with prolonged cooking.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 50–70 min
- Yield
- 2 small jars
- Note
- Refrigerator jam
In this recipe
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity | From Moayeri |
|---|---|---|
| Quince, peeled and cored | 500 g prepared weight | – |
| Sugar; water | 350 g; 500 ml | – |
| Cardamom pods | 3 | Shop ingredient |
| Saffron threads | 0.05 g | Shop ingredient |
| Small cinnamon stick, optional | 1 | Shop ingredient |
| Lemon juice | 1 tbsp | – |
Shop ingredients
Products used in this recipe. Follow the quantities above; optional additions are not essential.
Dried Cardamom
In stock
Method
Cut and soften
Cut quince into 1.5 cm pieces. Simmer with the measured water, covered, for 20–30 minutes until beginning to soften. The fruit should still hold its shape.
Sweeten
Stir in sugar, cardamom and optional cinnamon. Simmer gently, partly covered, for another 25–35 minutes, stirring carefully so the pieces do not break.
Add saffron
Crush saffron and steep in 1 tablespoon hot water for 10 minutes. Add with lemon juice and simmer 5 minutes. Remove whole spices when the fruit is tender and the syrup lightly coats a spoon.
Chill
Transfer to clean heatproof containers, cool briefly and refrigerate promptly. Use within 1 week or freeze small portions. This batch is not intended for cupboard storage.
Helpful tips
- Quince cooking time varies with ripeness; test a piece before reducing the syrup too far.
- Add a little hot water if the syrup thickens before the fruit softens.
Frequently asked questions
Must the jam turn red?
No. Colour varies by fruit and cooking conditions; tender pieces and balanced syrup matter more.
Can I reduce the sugar?
That changes the consistency and keeping quality. Make a smaller batch of this ratio rather than treating it as a tested low-sugar preserve.