How to Preserve Summer: Simmer Pot Recipes and Homemade Jam Ideas

As early summer gently unfolds across the UK, hedgerows blush with berries, herb gardens stretch out sleepily in the sun, and the air carries that first whisper of the season ahead. It’s not high summer yet—but it’s the perfect time to plan, preserve, and prepare.

At Simmer&Stir, we believe in savouring the season fully. That means tasting and smelling the bounty of summer, storing it, and making good use of every precious bit. That’s where our favourite slow-living ritual comes in: Simmer Pot Meets Jam Pot.

Simmer Pot Meets Jam Pot: Preserving Summer in Every Way

This blog post will show how to pair jam-making with fragrant simmer pots using the same seasonal ingredients while embracing a waste-free, sensory-rich lifestyle.

Make the Most of Summer’s Bounty

If you’ve ever stood in the kitchen with a pile of strawberry tops or citrus peels and thought, “Surely I can use this for something…”—you’re not alone.

Simmer pots are the perfect solution. While your fruit becomes a delicious homemade jam, the leftovers—peels, cores, stems, and scraps—can be gently simmered in a pot of water to fill your home with the scent of summer.

This simple pairing helps you:

• Reduce kitchen waste

• Embrace seasonal living

• Create a calming home environment

• Make the most of every part of your ingredients

Start With a Walk: Forage, Explore, Gather

Before you even light the hob, start your jam-simmer ritual with a walk outdoors.

Whether picking strawberries at a local farm, foraging elderflowers along a country lane, or trimming herbs in your back garden, gathering your ingredients by hand brings a sense of connection that shop-bought produce can’t quite match.

Look out for:

• Strawberries – ripe from mid-June onwards

• Elderflowers – in bloom late May to early July

• Mint, lemon balm, rosemary – common in garden borders or pots

• Wild herbs and hedgerow greens – be sure to forage responsibly

What to Save for Your Simmer Pot

As you prep your jam ingredients, pop the following into a small bowl or jar to use straight away, or freeze for later:

• Strawberry tops and soft berries

• Apple cores and peels

• Lemon and orange zest or rind

• Lavender sprigs and herb stems

• Elderflower heads past their prime

Tip: Keep a “preserving basket” or freezer bag in your kitchen for scraps like these.

Simmer & Stir: Seasonal Pairings to Try

Here are a few beautifully fragrant combinations that pair perfectly as both jam flavours and simmer pot blends:

Jam Flavour	Simmer Pot Ingredients	Mood
Strawberry & Mint	Strawberry tops, mint leaves, lime peel	Bright & cheerful
Blackberry & Lavender	Soft berries, lavender buds, lemon peel	Relaxing & nostalgic
Apple & Rosemary	Apple cores, rosemary sprigs, cinnamon	Warming & grounding
Raspberry & Lemon Balm	Crushed berries, lemon balm, orange peel	Refreshing & uplifting

Let your jam inspire your simmer pot—or the other way round!

How to Make a Simmer Pot

Once your jam is cooling in jars, it’s time to treat your senses to a simmer.

To make a simmer pot:

1. Add your saved fruit and herb scraps to a saucepan or slow cooker.

2. Fill with water (just enough to cover).

3. Simmer gently on a low heat—never let it boil dry.

4. Top up with water as needed. You can reuse the same blend over a day or two.

Gifting the Experience

Why not pair a small batch of jam with a dried simmer blend sachet as a thoughtful gift?

Wrap in brown paper or tuck into a little basket with a handwritten tag. Label ideas:

• “Taste & Scent of Summer”

• “For Toast & Tranquillity”

• “Jam + Simmer = Joy”

Perfect for birthdays, thank-yous, or summer fête stall ideas.

Preserving More Than Just Fruit

This gentle ritual of simmering and stirring is about more than jam. It’s about making time, creating atmosphere, honouring what the season offers, and using it well.

As we head into summer, please take a moment to walk, pick, stir, and breathe it all in. Whether pottering in the kitchen or wandering through the hedgerows, there’s a quiet joy in preserving the season in every way possible.

FAQs – Simmer Pot and Homemade Jam Ideas

1. What is a simmer pot, and how do I use one? A simmer pot is a natural way to fragrance your home using a gentle mix of fruit peels, herbs, spices, and water. Add your chosen ingredients to a saucepan or slow cooker, cover with water, and allow to steam gently on low heat. Top up with water as needed and never leave it unattended.

2. Can I use fruit scraps from jam-making in a simmer pot? Absolutely! Strawberry tops, citrus peels, herb stems, apple cores and other offcuts from jam-making are perfect for simmer pots. It’s a great way to reduce kitchen waste and get more from your ingredients.

3. What fruits and herbs are best for simmer pots in summer? In summer, go for light, uplifting ingredients such as strawberry, mint, lemon balm, lavender, citrus peel, elderflower, and rosemary. These pair beautifully with both fresh air and jam jars!

4. How long do simmer pots last? If covered and topped with water, a simmer pot can be reused for 1–2 days. You can also freeze leftover fruit scraps in portions to use later in the season.

5. Can I gift jam and simmer blends together? Yes! Pairing a jar of homemade jam with a matching simmer blend sachet makes a thoughtful and beautifully personal gift. Wrap it with brown paper, add a botanical label, and have a perfect present for summer birthdays, garden parties, or thank-you gestures.