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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle
Allan Jenkins

Blackcurrant jam, a sharply sweet reminder of a life well lived

Spread the love: jars of homemade blackcurrant jam.
Spread the love: jars of homemade blackcurrant jam. Photograph: Allan Jenkins

There are 15 jars of jam from the summerhouse blackcurrant bushes. Half a day’s work. There has never been so much fruit here. A large bowl of redcurrants waits on Henri’s decision on what best to do with them. More jam most likely.

Henri’s mother, Ina, was the queen of blackcurrant jam, sharp and just sweet enough – the preserve not her. We bought another bush in her memory. How to mark the passing of a mother. Jam-making as meditation.

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