Jam is a food product made primarily from fresh fruit, processed through steps such as washing, crushing, heating and concentrating. It is popular due to its rich flavor and versatile uses. So, what is the process of making jam in factory? Because different fruits have varying structures, moisture content, acidity, and pectin levels, the processing steps for making jam also differ somewhat. This article will use strawberry jam as an example to describe in detail the main processes involved in factory-scale jam making.
Jam Making Process:
1. Washing
Strawberries must first be washed to remove surface impurities and bacteria. During washing, the water flow intensity should be controlled to prevent damage to the strawberries.
2. Chopping (or Crushing)
The strawberries are then chopped or crushed. The purpose of this step is to transform the strawberries into a pulp or small pieces, facilitating subsequent mixing and heating.
3. Mixing and Cooking
The chopped strawberry pulp is transferred to a jacketed kettle or vacuum cooking pot, where granulated sugar, pectin, citric acid, and other auxiliary ingredients are added according to the recipe. The purpose of cooking is to evaporate excess water, increase the solid content, and activate the pectin to create a stable structure for the jam.
4. Filling
Once the strawberry jam reaches the desired consistency and texture, it is ready for filling. Common packaging forms include glass bottles, plastic bottles, and stand-up pouches.
To ensure the quality, safety, and market competitiveness of the jam, the following points need to be focused on during the production process:
1. Raw material freshness control: The quality of the jam largely depends on the quality of the fruit. The raw materials should be as fresh as possible and have consistent ripeness, avoiding the inclusion of rotten fruit.
2. Formula stability: The proportions of sugar, pectin, and acid need to be tested repeatedly to ensure consistent taste, gelling effect, and shelf life.
3. Temperature and time management: Overheating can lead to darkening of color and a decrease in flavor.If you would like to learn more about jam processing or jam processing equipment, please feel free to contact us.