Forget the big brands of jam that are more sugar than fruit and try one of these brands instead. You can make your own jam, but it’s very complicated usually as you have to use pectin and sterilise glass jars etc. These jams appear to be free from it, but never leave any foods containing xylitol (sweetener) around pets, just a few licks or crumbs could be lethal. Campaigners want warnings on the labels.
Fearne & Rosie is a brand of jams that is bursting with more fruit, and also vegan-friendly and free from palm oil. Founded by a former teacher and Yorkshire mum, this business set in the rolling hills is bringing the homemade taste of jam to the modern age, using locally-grown sugar beet over refined sugar, to create a low food miles treat for all the family. Jam is still not suitable for diabetics, check your medication.
These naturally reduced-sugar jams contains 40% less sugar than conventional jams in stores, and they are full of fresh fruit, over concentrates. Sold in sustainable packaging, the jams are also good value for money, with at least one flavour recently reducing in price, to help people on a budget enjoy them. Many of the jars use surplus fruit, to help avoid the 3.5 million tons (7.2% of all harvested food) going to waste. You can also buy an extra jar for a food bank charity, to help someone in need, when ordering from their site.
Enjoy these jams in sandwiches or on toast, or swirl into natural plant-based yoghurt and stir through a crushed oatcake, for a crunchy alternative to sugar-filled biscuits. These are also great with apple sticks for dipping. Choose from:
- Strawberry
- Raspberry
- Blackcurrant
- Cherry
- Superberry
- Strawberry Cranberry (Christmas edition)
Blackberry jam is low in pectin, so you’ll need citrus juice and jam sugar to help it set (and a sugar thermometer). You also need sterilised jars and lids (clean and bake in a low oven for 15 minutes) then ladle stirred jam into jars, seal and label.
