Surinam Cherry Jam
A vibrant homemade jam made with ripe Surinam cherries, sugar and fresh lemon juice.

Surinam cherry jam is a flavorful way to preserve the distinctive sweet-tart taste of ripe Surinam cherries, also known as pitanga. The fruit cooks down into a rich, glossy spread that works beautifully on toast, pancakes, yogurt or desserts. Fully ripe deep-red or dark-colored cherries generally provide the best sweetness and flavor, while lemon juice adds brightness and helps balance the sugar. Be sure to remove the seeds before cooking, and stir the mixture frequently as it thickens to prevent it from sticking to the pan.
Featured Fruits
Ingredients
- 4 cups Ripe Surinam Cherries
- 1.5 cups Sugar
- 2 tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice
- 0.25 cups Water
Nutrition per Serving
Instructions
Wash the Surinam cherries thoroughly, remove the stems and gently open each fruit to remove the seeds.
⏱️ 15 minutes
Add the prepared cherries and water to a saucepan and cook over medium heat until the fruit softens.
⏱️ 8 minutes
Mash the softened cherries gently with a spoon or potato masher to create a pulpy consistency.
⏱️ 3 minutes
Stir in the sugar and fresh lemon juice until well combined.
⏱️ 2 minutes
Simmer the mixture over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until it becomes thick and glossy.
⏱️ 20 minutes
Remove the jam from the heat, allow it to cool slightly and transfer it to a clean jar.
⏱️ 5 minutes