The instruction to make your own jam for this crostata isn’t just for flavor; it also makes sound financial sense. When you break down the costs, you’ll find that making your own artisanal blackberry and bay jam is significantly more cost-effective than buying a similar quality product from a store.
A small jar of high-quality, artisanal jam can be quite expensive, often ranging from $8 to $15. These jams are priced for their quality ingredients and small-batch production. This recipe produces a generous amount of jam (around 500-600g) for a fraction of that cost.
Let’s look at the ingredients for the jam: 600g of blackberries, 300g of caster sugar, half a lemon, and two bay leaves. If you can get blackberries when they are in season and on sale, or even better, forage for them, the cost is minimal. Sugar and lemons are inexpensive pantry staples. Even with store-bought berries, the total cost to produce a large batch of jam is often less than the price of one small, high-end jar.
Furthermore, the recipe’s design is inherently economical. It gives you enough jam for a large, impressive dessert that serves up to ten people, plus a leftover jar for your pantry. You are essentially getting two products for the price and effort of one.
By investing a small amount of time, you not only get a jam that is fresher and more flavorful than anything you can buy, but you also save a significant amount of money. It’s a delicious win-win situation for any home baker.