Can anyone recommend a good store-bought preserve/jam?
This sound so simple, but I've recently rediscovered how satisfying toast and jam can be for breakfast. I just ran out and it will be another month or two before the farmers markets start up here. I wonder if anyone can recommend a good jam that is carried in stores. The last one I bought was just the Whole Foods 365 raspberry, which was lacking in the texture department.
Thanks!
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29 Comments:
You probably don't want to hear this but...have you thought about making your own? It's not difficult and you can control the amount of sweetness and texture. Try it some time!!!
arm1970 at 11:23AM on 04/20/09
As far as industrial jams go, Bonne Maman is the closest to homemade I've come upon. There are other more gourmet brands, but I usually get turned off by their price tags. I also think is Smucker's is really good for what it is.
I don't buy jam very often though since I have a mother-in-law who, every fall, gives us a box full of here own jams which she makes from fruit she's foraged herself during the summer.
SqueezeBottle at 11:27AM on 04/20/09
I'll agree.. making your own is easier than you think and the results surpass even the most expensive jams you may purchase in a store. Not to mention that you can do it year round. I was given some store bought in a gift basket and while it was opened, no one in my house will eat it; 'doesn't taste right' they say. All you need is some great fruit, pectin, jars and the Ball Blue canning book to get you started. Its easy to follow and you'll be hooked with your first batch. Try strawberry first.. its the easiest and the fruit is plentiful this time of year.. your family will thank you for it. Good luck.
myrajane at 11:32AM on 04/20/09
I like the Bonne Maman too. I'm never without a jar of raspberry.
goodcooker at 11:35AM on 04/20/09
I've always wanted to try making preserves at home, but I have been concerned about getting the whole sterilization process wrong. Hearing that it's not too difficult and very rewarding I will definitely try it. Thank you for you feedback and encouragement!
yayfood at 11:48AM on 04/20/09
I like Hero brand, especially the plum butter if you can find it. I also like their raspberry and red/black current.
duncan1205 at 12:02PM on 04/20/09
I'll add my vote for Hero. I also forgot about Wilkins and Sons.
SqueezeBottle at 12:15PM on 04/20/09
I like both Bonne Maman and Hero, and if I had time I'd make my own. Years ago I made three citrus marmalade and it was fantastic.
ride&cook at 12:30PM on 04/20/09
I throw my hat into the Bonne Maman ring, too. However, good ol' Smuckers always satisfies. With a name like Smuckers...
juliebugsmama at 12:44PM on 04/20/09
I love Sarabeth's Kitchen Spreadable Fruit. If your store does not carry it, you can order from their website:
http://www.sarabeth.com/
salpico at 12:52PM on 04/20/09
Robertson's Thick Cut Seville Orange Marmalade - oh, yum, it is truly delicious - not too sweet with a lovely bite.
bareneed at 12:55PM on 04/20/09
Dickinson's makes a great blueberry jam.....actually any of their jams that I've tried were good.
I also will jump on the bandwagon to make your own. There are alot of great recipes for freezer jam online too...if you don't want to mess w/jars...etc.
mepolo at 1:06PM on 04/20/09
I'd forgotten about Hero! Bonne Maman always looks good too. I'll have to try them. Thanks!
yayfood at 1:07PM on 04/20/09
Another vote for Bonne Maman. We keep raspberry and usually another rotating flavor in the fridge. Currently it's damson plum--delicious!
littlestcapy at 1:08PM on 04/20/09
Trader Joe's organic strawberry jam is pretty tasty, if you have one nearby.
alclyp at 1:19PM on 04/20/09
Scandinavian Delight's jams and marmalades are great, easy to find, and moderately priced. The ones I continue buying are the black currant, lingonberry preserve, and orange marmalade (lots of orange slices). I like chomping on fruits.
Cassaendra at 1:37PM on 04/20/09
Polaner all fruit! Blackberry is my fave.
Embackus at 1:46PM on 04/20/09
At the regular grocery store, I buy Bonne Maman. Whenever I'm at a smaller or ethnic grocery store, though, I make a point to buy a new jam. For what its worth, I have found that the Easter European brands are REALLY good!
lizaj at 2:03PM on 04/20/09
Any artisan jam will likely be wonderful. I'd also like to second trying to make your own. You will be so spoiled by the flavor combinations ("What do you mean no one makes Peach Chipotle Jam commercially??") and the quality, you'll be hooked. You don't need to make huge batches - as a matter of fact, small batches are preferred for home canning. Any of the Ball Blue Books (readily available used at half-price or less) will get you started.
I like to use commercial jams for glazes and such - and I love Trappist Seedless Raspberry Jam for this purpose. It's delicious, seedless and makes a great ingredient. When you visit the supermarket, there will likely be one or two artisan jams available. Try the one that's made locally.
Stonewall Kitchen is another great artisan jam. Not cheap but definitely worth it.
therealchiffonade at 2:08PM on 04/20/09
Dickinsons Seedless Blackberry is my absolute favorite.
cdp1223 at 2:37PM on 04/20/09
The entire line from American Spoon Fruit is very high quality. I've never seen the products in a chain store outside of the Midwest, but they have a nice on line catalog. We love their cherry preserves and fruit butters. http://www.spoon.com/
kathyvegas at 3:55PM on 04/20/09
Next time you're in an Ikea, try their blueberry jam. It's my current favorite.
GregWA at 4:09PM on 04/20/09
freezer jam-super easy, fast and delish!
pamstar at 4:18PM on 04/20/09
Another vote for Sarabeth's. The Chunky Apple and Peach Apricot are absolute favorite's of mine. Was buying it at Williams Sanoma @$12.00 a pint until I discovered it at Target for $7.99 a pint! I try to keep several jars on hand. Dickinsons Seedless Blackberry is another favorite. Thanks to kathyvegas for reminding me about cherry preserves, Love them!
dixiesue
dixiesue at 5:10PM on 04/20/09
I second Trappist Raspberry Jam, though I prefer with seeds. The Trader Joe's organic is pretty good too, both raspberry and blueberry.
izzy's mama at 8:57PM on 04/20/09
Bonne Maman here!
sweethunibabi at 9:03PM on 04/20/09
Wilkon & Sons Tiptree Ginger Preserves is one of the most delicious things I've ever eaten. They are my favorite brand for preserves, marmalades, etc.
chisai at 9:38PM on 04/20/09
Bonne Maman apricot for me, but only if I've run out of peach freezer jam that I make myself. I love freezer jams--easy and delish and no jars!
FoodieSearching at 12:44PM on 04/21/09
As I've been lucky enough to have a plethora of fresh citrus given to me, my marmalade skills are in overdrive. Last night I started out with a seville orange that wasn't too sweet but still had a bit of a bite to it followed by a grapefruit marmalade with a lovely pink tinge from the ruby red fruits that I used. Currently I find myself simmering lemon zest for some lemon and lemon-raspberry marmalade that is this afternoons treasure. Once you start making your own, you'll be making it year round as the fruits present themselves: strawberry and strawberry rhubarb, blueberry cobbler, spiced blackberry, mango chipotle, strawberry kiwi for my daughter, apple, plum and peach butters for my son. spiced pumpkin butter for the holidays. The list is as endless as your imagination. Since I've won many blue ribbons and best in state rosettes in the Arizona state fair for them, I must be doing something right. My daughter tells her friends, 'give my mom a pot, a stove, some fruit, sugar and a box of jars and she'll make jam'. Give it a shot.. you'll be hooked and your family will love you for them.
myrajane at 2:32PM on 04/21/09