Every boy or girl brought up in the countryside will have experienced this. And every maker of jam will know all about scum.
When your Mother (or Father) made her (or his) Raspberry or Strawberry Jam, they would always skim off a certain amount of 'scum' from the boiling jam, and place it in a small bowl, or on a saucer.
For the children of the house this was a real treat. A thick slice of fresh bread liberally spread with butter, and a good dollop of warm scum, was heaven on a plate. It was the Jam makers audience's treat.
I asked Lady Magnon recently if she'd like some scum. After rolling her eyes, and looking at me with suspicion, I explained what it was and she eventually tried some.
Her verdict? She loved it, after all it's just freshly made jam without the pips; although mine had some actual jam it in, leftover from the filled jars.
Looks good and I bet it tasted even better.
ReplyDeleteIt did, but I only licked the spoon.
DeleteGoodness, I needed this today. Between the corona virus and the Bighorn fire burning near my home , jam and bread sounds so good to me.
ReplyDeleteI thought scum was the stuff you didn't want ?
parsnip
I don't think jam makers ever throw it away. There's always some small child around to eat it.
Delete"Scum" has for me many connotations - yours is a new definition :-) - but yes, I remember too to lick it from a little saucer when my grandmother made raspberry jam. Even the smell of the cooking: delicious! The colour of raspberry jam - I could dive into it!
ReplyDeleteBritta so right about the colour - try raspberry and red currant, the colour is truly jewel-like.
DeleteI made that last year, Tigger. We had loads of Redcurrants, and didn't know what else to do with them.
DeleteEven though I've made my own damson jam I have never heard this expression. Yes, it's skimmed off the top but I wonder why an unappetising word was given to something that could be eaten?
ReplyDeleteIt's the later usage that is unpleasant, the original meaning is OK.
DeleteScum, yum. Like the burnt skin on a rice pudding. The best part.
ReplyDeleteI prefer the scum to rice pudding; never liked it.
DeleteI know of skimming jam but I didn't know the product of skimming was called scum.
ReplyDeleteIt's always been called that. Nice name eh?
DeleteScum is any froth on a liquid. I am surprised at the reaction to the word by so many commentators. I am appalled actually. It is the accepted English usage. Any other use of the word is pure slang.
ReplyDeleteIt was always called this, way before it was used for rampaging idiots.
DeleteSame thing as the scum when I boil lentils. I don't find the word as unpalatable as some of your contributors.
DeleteYou really have to watch lentil scum; it can go crazy.
DeleteWe always called it scum too Cro and it was always better from raspberry or strawberry jam. How is it than when we were kids we could eat thick slices of home made bread, slathered with 'best' butter and then scum (we would be waiting for it to form) and never put on weight?
ReplyDeleteWe obviously have the same memories. Waiting in the kitchen for the scum plate to be handed over. Boy, it was delicious.
DeleteI have never made jam but have tasted others. Raspberry is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteSugar is usually Lady M's department, but for Raspberry Jam I make an exception. It's such a wonderful jam to make. I have the raspberries, the special jam sugar ensures that it sets, and the end result is delicious. It even fills the house with perfume whilst it's being made.
DeleteI never skim the scum. I just stir it all back into the jam mix as it boils and it disappears. Probably the colour isn't as clear but I'm not worried about that. I made apricot jam yesterday. My favourite and I also made a great hot chilli apricot sauce.
ReplyDeleteI do the same when i make jam.
DeleteI must admit that I usually do the same. Why waste good jam?
DeleteNice to see your own jam blog cro.......
ReplyDeleteJust yours x
I rarely eat any sort of jam but my wife used to make it and I well remember the scum although I can't recall what she called it - definitely not scum anyway.
ReplyDeleteNot really a jam eater. Love the aroma of it simmering away though.
ReplyDeleteYay, scum, from the raspberries in the field.
ReplyDelete