Cornelian Cherry Jam
Cornelian cherry jam is made from small, tart cornelian cherries (gilas) cooked with sugar. It has a distinctive sour-sweet taste and is popular in Azerbaijan and the Caucasus.
What is Cornelian Cherry Jam?
Cornelian cherry jam (gilas mürəbbəsi, sometimes zoğal) is made from cornelian cherries small, oblong, tart red fruits that grow wild and in gardens in Azerbaijan. They are cooked with sugar (and a little water or lemon) until the syrup thickens. The jam is sour-sweet and deep red. It is a traditional preserve and is often served with tea or used in pastries.
How do you eat Cornelian Cherry Jam?
Eat a spoonful with tea, or spread it on bread. It is also good with white cheese. The taste is tangy and fruity less sweet than apricot or fig jam. Use it as you would any fruit jam: with tea, on toast, or with cheese.
Does Cornelian Cherry Jam taste sour?
Yes, it has a noticeable sour note. Cornelian cherries are tart; sugar balances them but does not remove the tang. The result is sour-sweet refreshing with tea and a good contrast to rich or fatty foods.
The Winter Medicine
In Azerbaijani culture, Cornelian Cherry (Zoğal) jam is not just a sweet treat; it is the ultimate traditional medicine. Every family ensures they have a few jars stored away for the winter. When someone catches a cold, gets a fever, or suffers from a sore throat, they are immediately served a large glass of boiling black tea heavily sweetened with Zoğal syrup and the whole boiled berries. The intense hit of Vitamin C and the soothing hot syrup provide immediate comfort.
The "Five-Minute" Boil Method
To preserve the bright ruby-red color and the sharp, fresh acidity of the cornelian cherries, they are never subjected to a single, long boiling session. Instead, cooks use the "five-minute" method. The berries are boiled in syrup for exactly five minutes, then removed from the heat and allowed to cool completely for several hours. This process is repeated three or four times over two days. This ensures the syrup thickens naturally while the berries stay plump and intact.
Ingredients
- Cornelian cherries (gilas)
- Sugar
- Water
- Optional: lemon
Frequently asked questions
- What are the health benefits of Cornelian Cherry Jam?
- Cornelian cherries are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants; in folk medicine they are used for digestion and colds. The jam keeps some of these properties, though cooking and sugar reduce vitamin C. It is not a medicine, but it is a traditional preserve that many consider part of a healthy diet.
- Do Cornelian cherries have pits in the jam?
- Often yes. Many cooks leave the pits in during cooking (they add flavour) and either leave them in the jar (eat around them) or remove them before serving. Pitted versions exist. If you buy a jar, check whether it says pitted or with pits.
- Can you drink the syrup from this jam?
- Absolutely. In fact, many people buy Cornelian Cherry jam specifically for the syrup. It is very common to take a few spoonfuls of the bright red, sour-sweet syrup and mix it into a glass of ice-cold water during the summer to create a refreshing, instant homemade juice (kompot).
