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Strawberry tree jam is delicious spread on toast, stirred through unsweetened yogurt or as an accompaniment to roast meats and on cheese boards.
I first came across this amazing fruit when my friend had a strawberry tree, arbutus unedo, growing in her garden a few years ago. I was pleasantly surprised how tasty the fruit was and immediately knew that it would make an excellent jam/jelly.
(Arbutus unedo) Strawberry tree
The arbutus strawberry tree is an attractive ornamental tree. Many people has it in their garden without knowing that the red arbutus berry fruits are edible. However the brightly colored fruit of strawberry tree are great to eat and have been used in folk medicine for many different purposes.
Learn how to identify a strawberry tree here
Strawberry tree fruit (arbutus fruit)
The strawberry tree berries are typically ready for harvesting in the late autumn when the skins of the berries are very red and they are soft to touch.
The arbutus fruit start out yellow and slowly change to red as they mature. The appearance reminds me of a small bright lychee.
With a delicate flavor they are sweetest and best consumed when bright red and very ripe. They can be eaten as they are straight from the tree or be made into a delicious arbutus jam.
Ingredients to make this jam
- Strawberry tree fruits
- Brown sugar
- Lemon juice
- Water
Strawberry tree jam
This jam is delicious spread on toast, stirred through unsweetened yogurt, as filling in cakes and desserts or as an accompaniment to roast meats and on cheese boards. Strawberry tree fruits jam is very ease to make. There is no peeling or cutting involved. Simply cook the fruit whole until it’s soft.
How to make arbutus unedo jam
Strawberry tree jam is quick to make and only has a few ingredients.
- The fruit goes straight into the sauce pan as they are, picked straight from the arbutus tree
- Cover the strawberry trees fruit with water and bring to a boil
- Cook for 20 minutes or until the fruit is soft
- strain
- cook the remaining clear liquid together with brown sugar and lemon juice until thickened.
- Pour into a sterilized jar to cool
- Enjoy!
The skin of the fruit is quite grainy but once the pulp has been strained off the result is a smooth jam/ jelly that tastes amazing!
Making jams and preserves is a must do in autumn in my household. It’s easy to make big batches of and can easily be jarred or frozen to use throughout the year.
Try this strawberry tree jam spread on these sunflower seed crackers and a nice cheese on top. Delicious!
Other easy preserves to do at home:
Easy no cook tomato pizza sauce
How to serve this jam
I like serving this amazing jam with:
- as a spread in cakes, biscuits and desserts
- Excellent on a cheese board
- Perfect with a charcuterie board
- Simply spread on buttered toast
Strawberry tree fruit benefits
The strawberry tree berry is a great source of vitamins and antioxidant.
In folk medicine, the plant has been used for treating rheumatism and urinary tract system amongst other things.
A gargle can be made for treating sore and irritated throats. Because of It’s antiseptic properties the plant can be used against respiratory problems, wounds, and other skin infections.
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Did you make this easy strawberry tree jam? Please comment below. I love to hear from you!
Easy Strawberry tree jam (arbutus unedo)
This arbutus berry jam/jelly recipe is made with only three simple ingredients and is quick and easy to make. Delicious spread on toast, stirred through unsweetened yogurt or as an accompaniment to roast meats and on a cheese board
strawberry tree fruit jam recipe
Instructions
-
strawberry tree fruit jelly
To prepare
,- cover the strawberry trees fruit with water in a sauce pan and bring to a boil.
- Simmer for about 20 minutes or until the fruit is soft.
- Once the fruit is ready, drain through a fine sieve to eliminate the seeds and skin. A smooth liquid remains.
- Pour the liquid back in the sauce pan with a third of the weight in brown sugar and the juice of a lemon. Cook until the jam has thickened.
- Pour into a sterilized jar to cool.
- Enjoy this tasty strawberry tree fruit jam!
This sounds so delish!
I never heard of strawberry tree fruit before this article. Now I’m intrigued. It looks like strawberry trees grow in my region, so I’ll have to keep an eye out for them!
Super easy to make and tasty strawberry jam. Pinned for my summer picking
The fruit are ripe in November/December.
How cool is this! Loved learning all about this!
Usually I do not read post on blogs, however I would like to say that this write-up very pressured me to check out and do so! Your writing taste has been amazed me. Thank you, quite great post.
I never knew about strawberry tree. Making a jam to preserve the fruit is a brillioant idea. I love the vibrant color of this jam. Sounds yum and can’t wait to find some fresh strawberry tree fruits to try this recipe.
Thanks Radha! I hope you get a chance to try it one day!
Oh? I’ve never heard of a strawberry tree before!
I only came across it for the first time a few of years ago. It’s a beautiful ornamental tree and the fruit/berries are amazing!
Hi, I also had never heard of them until my daughter bought one. I’m very excited to make some jam this year, and perhaps some baked goods as well. We are north a bit from San Francisco, and the trees grow beautifully in this area.
I’m glad you found some trees in your area Lucy. I hope you enjoy them and cooking with them!