Janet Hackert, Nutrition and Health Education Specialist, Harrison County, University of Missouri Extension
As berries and other fruits ripen, many think about preserving the harvest in a sweet form, such as jellies, jams or other sweet spreads. University of Missouri Extension recently released an updated publication called Sweet Spreads and Syrups (GH1461) that explains sugar’s role in these tasty treats and offers some alternatives for those who are concerned about consuming too much sugar.
Although one might be tempted to simply leave out the sugar in a jam or jelly recipe, or to use a sugar substitute to make it lower in sugar and calories, this is not recommended when preserving them. In fact, the sugar plays an important role in getting the gelled consistency that is characteristic of these items…
To learn how to reduce the sugar while maintaining the safety and quality of the canned product, see the full article at http://missourifamilies.org/features/foodsafetyarticles/fdsfty94.htm
