Mai Tai Papaya Jam Recipe has the tropical flavors of the islands with sweet papaya and mango with freshly squeezed lime! Enjoy exotic flavors with this easy-to-make homemade jam!
How about making some Strawberry Fig Jam next? This recipe is AMAZING!
Jump to:
❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
If you've never tried papaya, it's a tropical fruit native to Mexico and Central America. It's very sweet. The flesh is a bright, burnt orange color.
If you want to try papaya first, then my easy papaya breakfast bowl would be a great recipe to start with. I love this recipe and I bet you will too!!
But I'm willing to bet if you enjoy a Mai Tai you'll love this tropical jam!
🗒️ Ingredients
For the exact measurements, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- papaya - look for bright yellow papaya fruit, that means it's ripe! Depending on the size of the mangos you'll need about 2 large papayas.
- mango - a ripe mango will smell sweet (click here for tips about choosing ripe mango).
- lime - for tart and tangy with bright fresh flavor, like a dash of lemon juice - the addition of citrus helps keep the fruit from turning brown.
- white sugar - necessary to preserve jam
- brown sugar - again necessary but it also adds more intense flavor from the molasses in brown sugar.
- dark rum - a twist of vanilla and molasses with a bit of fire!
- low sugar pectin - to preserve the jam. I use SureJell it is a dry pectin in a pink box (low sugar).
🔪 Instructions
This is an overview of the step by step instructions. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!
- Wash the fruit.
- Peel the papaya - discard the seeds and dice. Measure exactly four cups. Peel the mango, discard the seed - dice the flesh - measure two cups. Add the fruit to a large heavy bottom pan.
- Juice the limes, add to the pot
- Measure a portion of the sugar and mix it with the contents of the Sure-Jell. Sprinkle it on the papaya puree. Mix well again and set it on the stove on high heat and bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
- When it comes to a hard rolling boil add the remaining cups sugar - both the white and brown. Continue stirring constantly and return it to a boil. Boil for exactly one minute.
- Remove from the stove and immediately stir in the rum. It will bubble and spit so be sure to use a hot pad holder. Continue to stir it until the bubbles cease.
- Immediately ladle into sterilized hot jars. Using a clean damp cloth, wipe the tops of the jars to remove any jam that may have gotten on the top of the lids.
- Place the lids on jars, followed by the rings, screw it on tightly. Process in a hot water bath.
- Remove and from the boiling water bath and allow it to cool to room temperature.
🙋♀️ FAQ's
Yes, if you want to skip the alcohol, you can. It will not effect how the jam sets. However, the alcohol burns off so don't think you can't enjoy it for breakfast.
For this recipe you need 1.7 - 2 ounces of dark rum. If you don't normally buy rum, coincidently this is how much rum is in the little sample bottles. Just grab one of them, it's all you need.
I used a rum called Jonah's Curse. A Caribbean spiced rum with vanilla and cinnamon, it's a perfect compliment for this jam. Can't find that rum? Use your favorite dark rum.
Look for fruit that have mostly yellow/orange skin with just a little green. It is fully ripe when it's bright yellow in color.
It's actually really easy to prepare. Like a cantaloupe, you simply slice it in half, scoop out the seeds (and discard) and peel off the skin. Then dice it.
Papaya has amazing health benefits! One of which is it's high in vitamin C - no surprise, right? Just look at that bright vibrant flesh!
Because it's high in fibre, just like everything else - eat in moderation, right?!!
Some say the smell of papaya can be off-putting. But that can be corrected by squeezing fresh lime over the top!
They are actually the same fruit, just picked in different stages of ripeness. This recipe uses ripe, fresh papayas - it will be orange and yellow with just a bit of green.
Papaya or papaw fruit as it's often called originated in the American tropics and Central America.
👍 Tips
- The hot jam is going to smell heavenly, resist the urge to stick your finger in it to taste! It's boiling sugar and will burn.
- Follow the recipe exactly! Don't eliminate or use less sugar thinking you'll save some calories. This recipe has been tested. Reducing the amount of sugar may cause the jam to not set up or even mold.
- Moldy jam must be discarded.
🔪 Equipment
The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
- 4 or 8-ounce jars with lids
- canning essentials box kit
- stainless steel ladle
- large pot
Storage
If you still have questions about making jams and jellies, be sure to review How to Make Jam - it is so informative and has all my best tips and tricks!
Sealed jars of jam can be kept in the pantry. They will last several months.
Refrigerate opened jars.
Serving suggestions
If you're wondering what to serve this jam on, keep it simple with toast, biscuits or a pb&j. Don't let that tiny bit of rum throw you. It adds depth of flavor to the jam and a toasty sweetness.
Pour it over a brick of cream cheese and serve with crackers for an easy appetizer.
Homemade jams and jellies make the BEST hostess gifts too!
Related recipes
I'm such a fan of homemade jams and jellies, there are several on the blog to choose from! Mango Jam Recipe, Pepper and Orange Jam - just to name a few! Here are more excellent homemade jam recipes for you to try at home!
- Low Sugar Strawberry Rhubarb Jam - tangy and sweet, just like the pie, this is a great way to enjoy this fruit!
- Homemade Orange Jelly Recipe is like a burst of sunshine in every bite. It's a wonderful jam to make in the wintertime when mandarins are at their peak!
- This jam has a little heat and is plenty sweet - Pomegranate Jam, SO GOOD!
- Homemade Apricot Jam - pure apricot flavor packed in a jar - everyone loves homemade jam!
- What is the most requested jam on the blog? Homemade Strawberry Jam! It's just like biting into a strawberry!
Love the idea of making homemade jam and jelly, but have a few more questions? Check out this Jam Making Guide for all of my tips and tricks to make the BEST preserves at home!
What I've learned
Safe to say, this ain't your Grandma's Jam, but I suppose my Grandma would have never made this jam to begin with right? But I know she would love it!
We were just up to visit family in Oregon and when we travel I always bring jam home to share. Everyone loves it!
I was really proud of myself this year as I had quite the stash of jam - I carefully packed up 24 jars. Wrapped them well and dedicated an engine suitcase just for the jam
When we got to Mom and Dad's I jokingly said, how many jars of jam do you think the TSA took this time? (When I pack jam in checked luggage, my bags are always searched.)
Mom said, that's a bet I'm not taking!
And sure enough, there was the notice. However, I was quite disappointed to see that two jars were missing and one was broken. 😔
I get it - of course, I want everyone (and myself!) to be safe, so I understand why it's inspected, but three jars? Seriously... I need to start packing croissants to go along with the jam, don't you think?
Recipe
Mai Tai Papaya Jam Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups papaya fresh papaya, seeds discarded, scoop flesh or peel, and dice into small pieces.
- 2 cups mango peeled and diced
- 4 cups white sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 limes juiced
- 1.7 oz. rum* often referred to as a "mini bottle" or "airplane bottle" it's a small sampler you can find at any liquor store.
- 1 Sure-Jell Low Sugar Pectin Make sure it's the pink box.
Instructions
- Begin by washing the fruit - wash it well.
- Peel the papaya - discard the seeds and dice. Measure exactly four cups. Peel the mango, discard the seed - dice the flesh - measure two cups. Add the fruit to a large heavy bottom pan.
- Juice both limes, add to the fruit.
- Measure ¼ cup of white sugar and mix it with the contents of the Sure-Jell. Sprinkle it into the fruit, mix well again and set it on the stove on high and bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
- When it comes to a hard rolling boil (a boil you can't stir down) add the remaining sugar - both the white and brown. Continue stirring constantly and return it to a boil. Boil for exactly one minute. (Set a timer to make sure you get it for a full minute).
- Remove from the stove and immediately stir in the rum. It will bubble and spit so be sure to wear a hot pad holder. Continue to stir it until the bubbles cease.
- Immediately ladle into sterilized hot jars. Using a clean damp cloth, wipe the tops of the jars to remove any jam that may have gotten on the top of the lids. (This will keep the jars from sealing.)
- Place lids on jars, followed by the rings, screw it on tightly. Process in a hot bath (boiling water) for 10 minutes to seal the jars.Makes 6 eight oz. jars.
