Tea and Jam

Last year, I read a fascinating book, "Child 44" by Tom Robb Smith. It was a historical fiction account of a Soviet police officer coming to terms with the corruption within the communist system that he had been raised to worship as he pursues a serial killer. It was a captivating book. Mr. Smith did an excellent job of revealing the history of post World War II Russia and the daily life of the people and party members.

The reason I bring up this book is that I had mistakenly assumed Russians loved vodka more than any other drink. This is not true. Russia has a long history of drinking tea. The book by Mr. Smith emphasized that Russians enjoyed putting jam in their tea. My son and I found this interesting and tried it. Tea is very tasty with strawberry jam especially if you make it yourself.

Since the story was based during the 1940's, a time when many around the world were financially struggling, I thought that maybe this necessitated the need to use jam, as sugar was not an option. That was not the case. Russians have enjoyed tea since 1618 and have routinely served tea with honey, sugar and/or jam. Tea is the national drink. Russians enjoy their tea strong. Tea is taken after meals and during breaks in the afternoon.

Russians enjoy Zavarka-a concentrated, strong tea that uses more tea than water, it is like espresso but in tea form. Samovar is a tea making device that uses loose leaf teas and makes Zavarka.

Tea has multiple health benefits. Green, oolong and black tea have antioxidants called polyphenols, meaning they prevent free radical damage. These polyphenols protect us from cancer, stroke and heart disease.

Strawberries contain phyonutrients that act as antioxidants as well. Strawberries contain many vitamins including vitamin C and manganese. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant. Strawberries may also contribute to decreasing cancer risk as well as easing polyarthritis, a form of rheumatoid arthritis by reducing inflammation.

Strawberries are abundant this time of year and annually we enjoy making homemade freezer jam that I will give as gifts to our friends. We also save some for ourselves! I like freezer jam because it tastes just like fresh, crushed berries even weeks later. Most of the freezer jam recipes contained a ton of sugar. In light of wanting to reduce sugar consumption and lower blood sugar levels, which in turn will lower insulin levels, I remade the typical freezer jam recipe by substituting Agave nectar. The taste is wonderful.

Tip--I did find that using the Agave nectar means that you must stir the berries. The crushed berries tend to float to the top. Jam made with white sugar does not have this issue, but sugar has detrimental effects on a person's health. Sugar causes inflammation and aging.
Canning jars can be found at thrift stores for 25 cents a piece and you can buy a box of lids at the grocery store.

Strawberry Freezer Jam

6 small or 4 medium-large glass jars with canning lids, cleaned and dried

4 pints of fresh, ripe strawberries, cleaned, hulled, sliced

1 1/2 c. Agave Nectar

3/4 c. warm water

1 box Sure-Jell Pectin for low sugar or no sugar recipes (read label and make sure Splenda or other artificial sweetener(s) have not been added)

Place berries in large bowl and using a potato masher and crush the berries. Add Agave nectar to strawberries and stir well.

In small saucepan over high heat, mix pectin and water. Stir until mixture comes to a boil and continue stirring for 1 minutes. Add to fruit mixture and stir constantly for 3 minutes. Ladle into clean canning jars leaving 1 1/2 inches from the top as the mixture will expand in the freezer. Place lids on the jars and freeze up to 6 months. Will keep in refrigerator approximately 3-4 weeks.

Tea

Using a coffee press, place 1 tsp of loose leaf tea in the press for each 6 oz cup of tea you would like to make. Add 6oz of boiling water over the tea leaves for each 1 tsp of tea you have added. Stir and place top of press over the mouth of the press. Don't press down yet. Let the tea brew for at least 3-4 minutes. Then press down and you will be able to strain the leaves and pour your tea.

If you want Zavorka, double the amount of tea to 2 tsp. for every 6 oz of hot water.

Serve with 1 tsp. of your fresh strawberry jam.

Enjoy!