The Difference Between Jam, Jelly, and Other Fruit Preserves (2024)

We love jam and jelly on toast, in a sandwich, stuffed in French toast or doughnut holes, layered in a cake, or spread atop a tart or crostata. But when you're in the grocery store staring down a shelf full of all kinds of fruit in jars, you might feel a bit confused about the difference between jam, jelly, marmalade, and other preserves. Or if you're stocking up on canning equipment and want to start making your own, the differences can be confusing. While all of these preserves are made with fruit, pectin (either naturally occurring or added), and sugar, there are a few things that set them apart. Here's the difference between jam, jelly, and all the other fruit spreads on the shelf.

What is jam?

Jam is made from fruit, sugar, pectin, and acid (such as lemon or other fruit juice). Most often, the fruit used to make jam is chopped or crushed and then slowly cooked with sugar until it thickens. Jam is regulated by the FDA; it must come from a single fruit and contain at least 45% fruit and 55% sugar.

What is jelly?

While jam uses the whole fruit, jelly calls for just the essence — the fruit juice. Jelly has no seeds or fruit pulp in it, and is completely smooth in texture. When jelly is made, the fruit is crushed to extract the juice, which is then strained to keep all the pulp and seeds out. The strained juice is boiled with sugar to release the natural pectin; more is added if necessary, along with a little acidity if needed to balance the sweetness. As with jam, jelly is regulated; the FDA mandates that a product labeled jelly contain fruit juice and contain at least 65% sugar (which is why low-sugar products are labeled as fruit spreads). Jelly somewhat clear, with a firmer texture than most other fruit preserves. Spooned from a jar, jelly will hold its shape until spread.

What is marmalade?

Filled with pieces of citrus peel suspended in jelly, marmalade is sweet, sour, thick, and even a bit chewy when you get a big piece of orange, lemon, or grapefruit rind. Unlike most fruit preserves, marmalade does not require added pectin, as it is naturally occurring in the citrus rinds. Like jam, marmalade must contain 65 percent soluble solids.

What are conserves?

While jam must come from one type of fruit to have that legal designation, conserves can be made with an additional berry or stone fruit in the mix. Jams that include pieces of nuts, coconut, or raisins are called conserves.

What is fruit butter?

Fruit butters are rich fruit spreads made by cooking puréed fruit pulp with sugar until the mixture thickens. Fruit butters have a rich, almost roasted flavor and dense texture; they are often made with apples and pears, which are naturally high in pectin.

What is chutney?

Chutneys are the most savory of fruit preserves, containing less sugar than most other preservers and often including spices and enough vinegar or other acid to make them tangy. For these reasons, chutneys are popular in Indian cooking. In other cuisines, fruit chutneys made with cranberries, pineapple, or apples are served with roast meats.

What is a compote?

A fruit compote is features whole fruit or large chunks or fruit briefly cooked and often seasoned with spices like star anise, ginger or cinnamon.

The Difference Between Jam, Jelly, and Other Fruit Preserves (2024)

FAQs

The Difference Between Jam, Jelly, and Other Fruit Preserves? ›

Jam or preserves will contain the richest portions of fruitiness, while a jelly's flavor will be slightly bogged down by the gelatin. This is why preserves are often called for in cooking and baking, as they contain the largest amount of the fruit's flavor in a mixable form.

What is the difference between jam jelly and fruit preserves? ›

Jelly: Jelly is made with strained fruit juice. There are no pieces of fruit in jelly. Jam: Jam is made with mashed fruit. Preserves: Preserves have whole fruit or large pieces of fruit.

Do you happen to know the difference between jelly and jam? ›

The preparation process, however — and end result — bear key differences, according to Linda Ziedrich, author of The Joy of Jams, Jellies, and Other Sweet Preserves. “Jam is made of crushed or pureed fruit, whereas jelly is made from juice,” Ziedrich says.

What is healthiest, jam, jelly, or preserves? ›

Preserves are the closest thing to consuming whole fruit. They contain chunks of the actual fruit, making them richer in fiber and nutrients. As with jam, though, the sugar content can vary based on the brand or recipe. In terms of health benefits, preserves generally come out on top due to their whole fruit content.

What is the difference between jam and jelly in food science? ›

Jams and jellies are both soft, sweet spreads made from fruit, sugar and pectin. The main difference between jam and jelly is that jam is made with fruit whereas jelly is made with fruit juice.

Can I use fruit preserves instead of jam? ›

Which spread should you use? That depends on what you're trying to do. For sandwiches, jelly or jam is preferred as they spread easier. For recipes, preserves would deliver more fruit flavor, though jam could also be used.

What's the difference between Welch's jam and jelly? ›

Welch's Jelly is made from fruit juice and Welch's Jam is made from pureed fruit. So to put it simply, though we use the same ingredients, the texture of both products will be different.

Is peanut butter and jelly just jam? ›

It can be made with any type of juice, but the traditional PB&J uses concord grape jelly. It's a soft set that's spreadable with a knife or the back of a spoon. Different from jam, which contains fruit puree or preserves that have pieces of fruit.

Is eating jelly good for you? ›

Gelatin contains proteins and antioxidants, which help protect the cells in the body, that can support the health of the digestive system, bones, skin, joints, and more. It's also an excellent source of: Calcium. Magnesium.

Is marmalade the same as preserves? ›

Marmalade is a jelly with pieces of fruit suspended in it. Citrus peel and juice are frequently the basis of marmalade. Preserves contain whole fruit or small pieces of fruit in a thick sugar syrup. Conserves are jams made from a mixture of fruits.

Which is healthier jam or peanut butter? ›

Nutritionally, eating peanut butter instead of jam is probably a better option for health enthusiasts as long as you exercise portion control. According to research, peanut butter has numerous health benefits, including improved heart health, a lower risk of diabetes, and anti-cancer properties.

Why do Americans call jam jelly? ›

We don't call jam “jelly”; this myth must be dispelled. Jam and jelly are two different things. In the U.S., “jam” typically has fruit pulp in it, while “jelly” is made using fruit juice. (We also have preserves, which is usually made with whole fruit.)

What is jam fruit called in English? ›

The various names for this fruit are (in Java) plum, jambul, jamun, jaman, black plum, faux pistachier, Indian blueberry , jambol, doowet, jambolan and jambolão. Scientific synonyms include Syzygium jambolanum, Eugenia cumini and Eugenia jambolana.

Is it possible to overboil jam? ›

Overcooked Jam: It's is harder to salvage overcooked jam. If the jam tastes scorched it's best just to throw it away and try again. If the jam isn't scorched but is too thick to use as jam, slowly heat it in the microwave with a little added water and use it as syrup.

Which is thicker jam or jelly? ›

Jams are made from crushed or ground fruit, resulting in a thicker spread that holds its shape but is less firm than jellies. Unlike jelly, jam is not clear, and you may find fruit chunks or particles dispersed throughout it.

What is jam vs jelly vs preserves for cake filling? ›

Jelly is made with fruit juice and sugar. It's smooth and semitransparent. Jam is made with thoroughly crushed fruit and sugar. Preserves are similar to jam, but they're made with chunks of slightly crushed fruit and sugar - they're lumpier than jam.

What kind of jelly preserves with pieces of fruit? ›

Marmalades are soft fruit jellies containing small pieces of fruit or peel evenly suspended in the transparent jelly.

How many types of jams are there? ›

There are basically two types of jams and jellies: those made with added pectin and those without. The use of commercial pectin simplifies the procedure and yields more jelly per volume of juice or fruit.

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