Sour Cherry Jam / Vişne Reçeli
SOUR CHERRY JAM: SUN-COOKED AND HOMEMADE WITH TRADITIONAL TECHNIQUE
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There’s a reason this jam holds a place of honour in every Turkish pantry…
Sour cherry trees bloom like pastel clouds in spring, their blossoms glowing gently under the sun. If you lean in close, you’ll catch their sweet floral scent—almost like a whisper of the fruit to come. And by early summer, the trees reward you with vibrant, tangy jewels that carry all the fragrance and charm of those blossoms.
This sun-cooked sour cherry jam captures that feeling in every spoonful.
If you love edible blossoms, don’t miss our Sakura Blossom Jam recipe—a springtime delicacy made with handpicked petals.
Ingredients
1 kg fresh sour cherries (farm-picked, if possible)
1 kg granulated sugar
Juice of ½ lemon (or ½ tsp citric acid)
Directions
PICKING & PREPARATION
Pick the cherries carefully with their stems still attached. (This ensures the tree continues to produce from the same node next season.)
Collect the fruit in shallow baskets to avoid bruising.
Wash the cherries gently and strain.
Remove the stems and carefully pit the cherries.
Place the pitted cherries in a large pot.
Pour 1 kg of sugar evenly over them.
Cover the pot and let it rest for 3–4 hours or overnight. During this time, the cherries will release their natural juices.
COOKING
Set the pot over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil.
Once it boils, reduce to medium and cook for 15–20 minutes.
Keep an eye on the colour and consistency:
(!) You want clear, ruby-red bubbles—not brown foam. Overcooking will darken the cherries and lose their signature brightness.Once the jam looks glossy and translucent, stir in ½ lemon’s juice (or ½ tsp citric acid).
Cook for another 2–3 minutes, then turn off the heat.
Pour the hot jam into a wide, shallow glass or ceramic dish.
SUN-COOKING (TRADITIONAL METHOD)
Cover the dish with a fine mesh or screen to protect it from insects.
Place it in a sunny spot and leave it out for 2–3 days, stirring gently twice a day (morning and afternoon).
The jam will slowly thicken and concentrate, without the need for additives.
This method gives the jam its legendary consistency and glowing colour.
STORAGE
Once thickened to your liking, transfer the jam to clean, sealable jars.
Close the lids tightly and store them in a cool, dark place—a pantry or cellar is ideal.
SERVING
Traditional Sour Cherry Jam (Vişne Reçeli) is a nostalgic breakfast classic. Its mellow sourness and the warm energy of the sun make every bite feel like a memory.
Serve it with fresh bread and white cheese or kaymak at breakfast.
Afiyet olsun!
[Notes from the Kitchen]
Use the best cherries you can find. Farm-picked sour cherries are smaller, darker, and more aromatic than the glossy store-bought kind. They’ll give your jam a much deeper flavour.
Don’t skip the resting time. When cherries sit in sugar, they begin to macerate and release their juice naturally. This toughens them, which helps preserve their shape and ensures a more vibrant colour.
Pitting by hand (or with a proper pitter) is worth the effort. If any pits remain, you’ll have to be careful when eating the jam.
Resist overcooking. Sour cherry jam is prized for its bright ruby colour. Once the foam disappears and the bubbles become glassy, it’s ready. Overboiling dulls the flavour and darkens the colour due to caramelization.
Sun-cooking is optional but traditional. It’s the old way and the best way to get that clear, jewel-toned finish. It also continues thickening the jam slowly, preserving both flavour and texture without added pectin.
Never eat straight from the jar. This applies to all preserved foods; never double-dip. Once opened, always use a clean spoon to scoop your portion into a small bowl. Grandma’s rules. This preserves the jar and prevents spoilage.
Pairs beautifully with: thick milk skin (kaymak), aged cheese, tahin-pekmez, or warm bread. It’s also delicious on thumbprint cookies or stirred into lightly soured yogurt.
