Publications: Fruits & Fruit Spreads
This collection of documents from University Extension offices nationwide provides overviews of methods and examples of making jam, jelly and other fruit spreads. Note that some documents only refer to using a boiling water canner (aka water bath canner), but you may also use an atmospheric steam canner to can high acid foods such as fruits, pickled products, as well as jams and jellies.
Research on food preservation is ongoing – recommendations may have changed since the release of some documents. Please refer to the National Center for Home Food Preservation for the most current recommendations.
Topics on this page:
Overview
- Complete Guide to Home Canning: Guide 2, Selecting, Preparing and Canning Fruit and Fruit Products (PDF, 1.05 MB), United States Department of Agriculture, 2015
- Complete Guide to Home Canning: Guide 7, Preparing and Canning Jams and Jellies (PDF, 1.24 MB), United States Department of Agriculture, 2015
- Making Jams, Jellies & Fruit Preserves (PDF, 5.19 MB), University of Wisconsin Extension, 2020
Fruits
Apples & Pears
- Using, Storing and Preserving Apples, Michigan State University Extension, Extension Bulletin HNI16, 2023
- How to Preserve Apples, Utah State University Extension
- Fruit Juices & Apple Cider, Oregon State University Extension Service, SP 50-445, 2019
- Preserving Pears, Oregon State University Extension Service, 2024
Berries
- Preserving Summer Berries, Washington State University Extension, 2016
- Preserving Cranberries, Oregon State University Extension, 2024
- Play it safe when preserving elderberries, Oregon State University Extension, 2024
Citrus
- Boiling Water Canning Lemon or Lime Curd, Utah State University Cooperative Extension, Publication FN/Food Preservation/2008-02, 2008
- Canned Lemon Curd, Oregon State University Extension Service, SP 50-922, 2015
- Oranges: Safe Methods to Store, Preserve, and Enjoy, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, Publication 8199, 2006
Stone Fruits
- How to Preserve Apricots, Utah State University Extension
- Using, Storing, and Preserving: Cherries, Michigan State University Extension, 2023
- Peaches, Apricots, Nectarines, Penn State University Extension, 2023
- Preserving Plums & Prunes, Oregon State University Extension, 2024
Others
- Preserving Figs, Oregon State University Extension, 2025
- How to Preserve Grapes, Utah State University Extension
- Preserving Kiwifruit, Oregon State University Extension, 2024
- Using, Storing, and Preserving Melons, Michigan State University Extension, 2023
- How to Preserve Pomegranates, Utah State University Extension
- Preserving Rhubarb, Penn State University Extension, 2025
Low/No Sugar
- Low Sugar Jams & Jellies/Fruit Spreads, Oregon State University Extension, 2025
- Canning with Less Sugar, Penn State University Extension, 2026
Savory Fruit Spreads
- Fruit Pickles and Chutney, Oregon State University Extension, 2017
- Chutney, Penn State University Extension, 2023
Freezer Jams & Jellies
- Uncooked Freezer Jams, Oregon State University Extension, 2025
- Uncooked Jams and Jellies (PDF, 834 KB), University of Georgia Extension, 2015