The art of jam-making
Consumers today are craving nostalgic flavours that transport them back to simpler times, seeking the comfort of traditional jams. However, they’re also looking for something new – a twist on the classic recipes that surprises. With a potential annual growth rate of 6.35% worldwide, the jam industry presents an opportunity for businesses to stand out. In this blog article, we’ll cover everything you need to know, so you can start creating traditional products with a twist.
Basic recipe
Jam is typically made with 1kg of fruit, 800g of sugar, and 30g of lemon juice, simmered for 20-30 minutes, and then sealed in sterilized jars.
The choice of sugar – granulated, preserving, or gelling – depends on the desired texture and firmness. High-pectin fruits like apples and cranberries require less sugar, while low-pectin fruits such as strawberries, pineapples, and cherries, may need added pectin or citric acid to achieve the perfect balance of flavour and consistency.
Cherry-Ginger Jam
This cherry jam with a gingery kick is your new favourite bread spread for sure! A classic jam with a twist that will never miss.
Pear jam with cardamom
This jam combines the sweetness of pears with the warm, aromatic spice of cardamom – the perfect balance of comforting and exotic flavours.
Raspberry-Mango Jam
This jam brings together the bold tartness of raspberries, and the tropical sweetness of mangoes for a vibrant spread. The fruit combination creates a stunning pink colour, and offers a rich source of vitamins, antioxidants, and natural fibres.
Red Fruit Jam with Honey
Red fruit jam with honey offers a wholesome and flavourful alternative for healthier homemade jam. It adds a rich sweetness, and extra nutrients to your favourite fruit topping.
Apricot-Lavender Jam
A unique and aromatic spread of sweet apricots combined with the floral notes of lavender. Easy to make, it’s perfect for toast, pastries, and desserts.
What's trending?
The world of jam is shifting toward creative flavours and healthier alternatives. Infusions of floral, herbal, and even boozy elements — such as lavender, rose, cardamom, basil, tequila, Cointreau, and many more — are bringing new twists to classic recipes. Additionally, there’s a noticeable demand for low-sugar preserves, made with natural sweeteners like agave, honey, or stevia. Exotic fruit blends, featuring tropical varieties like mango, passion fruit, and lychee, are also capturing the attention of adventurous consumers.
Jam, jelly & marmalade - what's the difference?
Not all fruit spreads are created equal! To be officially called jam in the EU, a spread must contain at least 35% fruit – except for currants (25%) and passion fruit (6%). For extra jam, it must have at least 45% fruit content. While jam might contain chunks, jelly is smooth, made from fruit juice of extracts, and follows the same fruit content rules as jam.
Marmalade, is a jam-like spread that is made of at least 20% citrus fruit, with 7.5% coming from the juicy interior. Chutney is a bold, sweet-and-savoury mix of fruits, veggies, herbs, vinegar, and spices. And compote is the light version of jam, made by lightly cooking fruit with sugar to keep the texture soft and delicious.
Source: The European Union’s Council Directive 2001/113/EC
At Crop’s Fruits, we specialise in providing tailored solutions to meet the unique needs of our customers. Whether you’re looking for specific fruit varieties or customised cuts, we offer personalised advice to help you create the perfect product. Our fruit range for jams includes broken, unmilled raspberry crumble, strawberry halves, fig offcuts, apricot offcuts, and many more
For consistent quality and year-round availability, our frozen fruit options retain their natural flavour, colour, and nutritional value, ensuring that your products stay top-notch no matter the season. At Crop’s Fruits, we’re here to support your business with tailored solutions and the expertise to help you succeed in this ever-changing market. For personalised advice, please contact your trusted sales manager, and get ready to level up your game!
