Foolproof recipe for making homemade orange jam

5. Add the strips of orange zest, if using them.

6. Add the sugar to the pan and stir well to make sure it dissolves completely.

7. Squeeze the juice from the lemon and add it to the mixture. Lemon not only improves acidity, but also promotes gelling thanks to its natural pectin content.

8. Cook the mixture over medium-low heat for about 30 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan. The jam should thicken and become more translucent as it cooks.

9. To check the consistency, place a small amount of jam on a cold plate and wait a few minutes to see if it gels. If so, the jam is ready. Otherwise, continue cooking and repeat the test every few minutes.

10. Once the jam has reached the desired consistency, remove the pan from the heat and allow the mixture to cool for a few minutes.

11. Fill clean, sterilized jars with the hot jam and seal them tightly.

12. To keep the jam longer, you can follow hot processing methods or store it in the refrigerator.

Enjoy your delicious homemade orange marmalade on toast, muffins, desserts or whatever you like! Keep in mind that this is a basic recipe and you can adjust the amount of sugar and other ingredients based on your personal preferences.