Can mulberries make you sick? Why do the leaves on my Mulberry tree look bad?

When they're ripe, mulberries can fall to the ground and make a mess, which is why they are often cursed by homeowners.Instead of allowing the berries to litter your outdoor space, why not harvest this delicious fruit and make jam?You should be able to harvest some for jam, eat some fresh, and freeze some because it's abundant.

mulberries don't all ripen at the same timeThey are delicate and don't ship well, which reduces their shelf life.

The easiest way to harvest them is to lay a ground cloth underneath the tree and shake the lower branches.You can use frozen mulberries for this recipe if you don't own a mulberry tree.

Pectin is needed for this recipe to make sure the jam is thick and sets.

Put the mulberries, sugar, and lemon juice into a large pot while the jars are sterilizing.Do not use aluminum or nonenameled cast iron as these can create off colors and flavors in your jam.

The mixture should be brought to a full boil over high heat so that the sugar can be dissolved.

Once the mixture has come to a full boil and the sugar is completely dissolved, add the pinch of freshly ground nutmeg.

The jam should leave 1/2 inch of headspace.The jars should be wiped with a damp cloth or paper towel.

The jars need to be removed from the water bath.Set on a cooling rack or towels.For 12 to 14 hours, let cool completely.As they seal, the lids will pop or ping.

Pressing down on the center of the lid should make the seal feel solid.The lid should not come off if you remove the ring.If jars fail, they should be refrigerated and eaten immediately or reprocessed with a new lid, if necessary.

If you harvest your own berries, follow these steps to make the jam.Even very ripe mulberries can come off the tree with a little bit of stem attached.If you take the time to remove the little stems, your jam will have a better texture.