Mango Jam Take 2

Look at it! Isn't it amazing?

Okay, I'm still totally jazzed about the jam. And yes, that's not yesterday's batch, it's from the first day. The stuff made last night looks amazingly similar, so I didn't figure I needed another picture, haha!

I will say that yesterday's batches yielded slightly less, only 8 jars in total. I think that was because the mangoes were riper and so juicier, less pulpy. And there were a few bad spots to cut away, etc. So it all cooked down a bit more, too. Still, 8 pint jars of awesome mango jam ain't bad for an afternoon  :D

Overall, the jam has been mighty well received! And generated some questions, too. So here are some more observations on my two time jam making experience, lol.

1. Nope, I did not do this "intuitively".
Well... maybe. I approached it like I approach most new recipes for something I want to try. I read a lot of websites and kind of composite all the information into my own brain. 

If you want the main site I used, go here.  And this here is one of the sites I got the lime juice idea from. Almost every site said to use lemon juice, so I don't believe it's for a bit of "zing". I used limes because I had them on my tree (now several of them are in my jam, lol), and a couple places used lime for mango jam.

2. I put in some butter - forgot that part yesterday. Just a chunk of it. One site claimed it would cut down on these bubbles you're supposed to skim off before you put the stuff in jars. Since I didn't have any bubbles to skim off, I guess it worked?

3. Boiling mango glop is *Hot*. You would think that's not something to have to say, but you know, I didn't always pay as much attention as I should have to that, lol. Take a look at my mango jam injury:


Now, since I always sustain at least a minor injury when I cook, I figure I probably got off easy this time, given it was my first jam making experience.

4. Boiling mango glop is *insidious*! I mean - it gets *everywhere*. I've cleaned and wiped and washed, but it might be a year before I find it all. Okay, maybe not that bad, but I still keep finding little orange splotches in the oddest places...

So there are my thoughts post jam making two. Feel free to ask questions if you're brave enough to venture along this path. You will find it surprisingly easy!

Now, if my neighbor continues to be kind, I might try some mango salsa... 

:)