Sugar Alternatives

[Jennifer Maffett]

Hi,
We planted bunches of currants in anticipation of making jam or dried currents at some point. It will be a while. In the meantime, we have also planted a bunch of sweet cicely which we've heard can be dried and used as a sugar alternative. Has anybody tried using anything like this?

[Valerie McMartin]

haven't tried that but please let us know if it works and if so how you did it.

[Katie Quinn-Jacobs]

Sweet cicely is new to me too, Jen. Do you have any photos?

[Jennifer Maffett]

I don't have a photo handy, but I'll take one and upload. Here is more information. This reference doesn't mention it as a sugar replacement, but I'll try to remember where I heard about it.

http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Myrrhis+odorata

[Mo Barger]

Do you mean as table sugar or to use in jam/jelly?

[Jennifer Maffett]

Either as table sugar or in jams and jellies, but my question was mostly driven by a curiosity about whether or not an alternative such as sweet cicely or stevia would work. Does the jam still get thick and jelly-like if you don't use sugar. Also wondering about using beet sugar or maple syrup or sugar to produce jams and jellies.

[Mo Barger]

I never heard of it being used in jams. I guess it would depend on the fruit used and the kind of pectin (if you use it). I have used honey in some jams - especially grape - where the fruit's natural pectin can be used and the sweetener is mostly for taste.

[Katie Quinn-Jacobs]

I use Pomona Pectin (available at Greenstar & online in bulk) and they include alternatives sweeteners in their jam directions. Stevia and honey are mentioned directly, but not maple or sweet cicely, in the sheet that comes with the pectin. This would be a good Jamline (413-772-6816) question. I've called the Jamline at Pomona's and they really do get back to you. Let us know if you do find out.

The jam I've made with honey set well but has a distinct flavor change. Have to say it's not my favorite. Have made pear butter with maple and it's incredible!

No experience with sugar beets, are you growing them Jen?

[Jennifer Maffett]

I put sugar beets on our seed order for next spring. I spent a delightful hour with seed catalogs this weekend. Apparently they come with directions for turning them into sugar. Before I get information from Jamline I need to learn a little more about sweet cicely. We have a few plants and while someone told us it is an alternative sweetner I'm not sure how it would work. I dried a few leaves and they seem to have a mild licorice taste but not wildly sweet. I'm pretty light on maple syrup info as well. We make it and it is very sweet, but each jar is slightly different and we've never tried to grade it. I've baked with it and it turns out fine, but that is different from getting something to set up. Meanwhile, I'm heading over to the drying forum to see if anyone knows about stevia. That's on the seed list too!