Can I Use Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar For The Chilli Jam?

Our answer

Nigella's Chilli Jam (from NIGELLA CHRISTMAS) uses (apple) cider vinegar as a base, as it has a sharp-sweet flavour that compliments, rather than overshadows, the spicy chillies. A regular cider vinegar sets to give a clear, bright, jewel-coloured jelly.

Unfortunately, we do suspect that an unfiltered, organic apple cider vinegar is not ideal for the jam, particularly as adding the sugar and pectin and then boiling the vinegar will probably negate any of the health benefits of the raw vinegar. If you did want to use an unfiltered apple cider vinegar then it could well give a less attractive jam, as the sediment and the "mother" will make the jam appear slightly cloudy and less vibrant in colour. You could let the vinegar stand for a few days so that the mother and any sediment settles to the bottom of the bottle, then carefully pour off as much as possible of the non-cloudy vinegar, which will help with the clarity of the jam. However, on balance we feel it is probably easier, and more economical, to use a regular, filtered apple cider vinegar for the Chilli Jam.