Dandelion Jelly: Lemon & Honey (Printable)

Bright floral jelly of dandelion, lemon and honey; silky spread for toast, yogurt or cheese.

# What you'll need:

→ Foraged Blossoms

01 - 4 cups (about 200–250 g) fresh dandelion petals (green parts removed)

→ Liquids

02 - 4 cups (1 liter) water
03 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)

→ Sweeteners

04 - 2 cups (480 ml) granulated sugar
05 - 1 cup (240 ml) mild honey

→ Setting Agents

06 - 1 packet (1.75 oz / 50 g) fruit pectin (such as Sure-Jell or equivalent)

# How to make it:

01 - Prepare the dandelion petals by picking only the yellow parts, discarding all green sepals and stems to avoid bitterness.
02 - In a large saucepan, combine dandelion petals and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer for 10 minutes.
03 - Remove from heat, cover, and allow the mixture to steep for at least 6 hours or overnight for maximum flavor.
04 - Strain the liquid through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth, pressing gently to extract all possible liquid. Discard the petals.
05 - Measure out 3 cups (720 ml) of the dandelion infusion. If necessary, add water to reach this amount.
06 - Return the dandelion liquid to a clean saucepan. Stir in lemon juice and pectin. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring constantly.
07 - Add sugar and honey. Stir well and return to a rolling boil. Boil hard for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the mixture begins to thicken and pass the jelly test (see Notes).
08 - Remove from heat and skim off any foam.
09 - Ladle jelly into sterilized jars, leaving 1/4-inch (0.5 cm) headspace. Wipe rims, seal with sterilized lids, and process in a boiling water bath for 5 minutes.
10 - Allow jars to cool undisturbed. Check for seals before storing in a cool, dark place.

# Expert suggestions:

01 -
  • It captures a floral spring brightness that feels like a secret jar of sunshine.
  • The lemon and honey keep the flavor balanced so it is never too sweet but always comforting.
02 -
  • Discard every bit of green on the flower or the jelly will taste bitter.
  • Measure the infused liquid exactly three cups because pectin needs the right proportion to set.
03 -
  • Do not rush the rolling boil when the sugar is added because the pectin needs full heat to activate.
  • Warm jars slightly before filling to reduce jar breakage and help lids seal better.
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