Strawberry Jam: A Taste and Review

Along with early summer comes the crop that, if you’re anything like us, you’ve been looking forward to all winter: strawberries! Although nothing matches a fresh, perfectly ripe strawberry, there are numerous strawberry products available that are wonderful in their own right. Strawberry jam is one of those must-haves in the home at all times, in our opinion!

When you go into your local grocery shop, though, you are certain to be overwhelmed with options. How to choose which jar of strawberry preserves to buy! Fortunately, we exhaustively analyzed seventeen of the finest and most readily available strawberry jams in order to determine the best strawberry jam in each of six major categories.

Whether you’re looking for the best fruit spread for your morning toast, are missing half of what you need to create the ideal peanut butter and jelly sandwich, or your favorite recipe asks for strawberry preserves and you’re not sure which one to use, we’ve got you covered!

Ranking the Best Strawberry Jams

To determine which strawberry jams or preserves are simply the finest, we tested the following 17 brands and varieties:

• Organic Strawberry Fruit Spread from 365 Whole Foods Market
• Strawberry Preserves by Bonne Maman
• Crofters Simply Fruit Organic Strawberry Spread
• European Strawberry Fruit Spread from Full Circle Market
• Excellent Strawberry Jam
• Strawberry Preserves from Market Pantry
• Strawberry Oswald Chia Smash
• Strawberry Polaner All Fruit Spreadable Fruit
• Polaner Sugar-Free Strawberry Preserves with Fiber
• Organic Strawberry Fruit Spread from Santa Cruz
• Natural Strawberry Fruit Spread by Smuckers
• Strawberry Preserves from Smuckers
• Dalfour St. Spread Strawberries Fruit
• Organic Low Sugar Strawberry Preserves from Trader Joe’s
• Strawberry Preserves from Trader Joe’s Prepared with Fresh Strawberries
• Strawberry Trappist Preserve
• Natural Strawberry Spread by Welch’s

Basic Info on Strawberry Jams

Before we get into the strawberry jam rating procedure, there are a few items to consider.

Serving Size

Since all of the strawberry jams we tested had a serving size of 1 tablespoon (Tbsp. ), any nutritional information provided will be based on this quantity.

Shelf Life

As you may know, the purpose of preparing jam or preserves in the first place is to lengthen the shelf life of fresh fruit, or to preserve it! Even when kept at ambient temperature, most of these preserves have a shelf life of many years. However, once opened, any jar of strawberry jam must be kept in the refrigerator in an airtight container (such as the lidded jar it most likely arrived in) and used within few months to a year, depending on variety, and must be used within several months to a year.

Ingredients and Allergens

Strawberry jams all have the same basic ingredients: fresh strawberries, sugars, thickeners (such pectin), and acidity (most often lemon juice or citric acid). As a result, the majority of these goods are allergen-free in terms of the eight main allergens, as well as vegan-friendly. But, as you can see, some of the jams we tested have additional substances that may be problematic for certain people, and we will be sure to explain them when appropriate!

Taste Testing

We sampled each jam plain rather than spread over bread or a sandwich to keep things constant (and also to give us an excuse to devour jam by the spoonful). We were evaluating these jams as stand-alone goods. There’s no space for tasty nut butters or rich breads to get in the way of our objectivity here!

1. Best Classic Strawberry Jam: Welch’s Natural Strawberry Spread

Sometimes all you need is a taste of your favorite strawberry jam. Sweet and refreshing, with a bit of additional strawberry taste on top of the genuine thing! There are a few products that meet the criteria, and although none of them are the healthiest strawberry jams, they will fulfill any desires you may have for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches from your childhood!

About Welch’s Natural Strawberry Spread

With over 100 years of jam and jelly manufacturing expertise, you can guarantee that the people at Welchs know what theyre doing. As a result, it’s no wonder that Welch’s Natural Strawberry Spread strikes all the right notes in terms of traditional taste! This jam has the distinctive, sweet berry taste and vivid red color that brings back memories of school meals past. Since this product is from such a well-known brand, it is widely accessible and stocked in most large grocery shops and independent markets. There are no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives, and no high fructose corn syrup, which is something that not all big brand strawberry jams can claim! On top of all of this sweetness, Welchs is owned by a co-op of independent farmers, so 100% of earnings go directly to the farmers, and you can feel good about supporting this business.

However, the sweet and delicious flavor is accompanied with a less-than-ideal nutrition label. Even without the high fructose corn syrup, Welch’s Natural Strawberry Spread has 11 grams of total sugar, with 10 of those grams being added sugars. This indicates the jam is heavy in calories, with 45 calories per tablespoon! In contrast, this is around half the amount of mayonnaise. Moreover, since Welch’s is such a well-known brand, we discovered that the majority of the accessible containers of this item were on the bigger side. Ideal for large families! But less ideal if it takes you a while to finish your strawberry jam.

Pros:

• That crave-worthy traditional strawberry jam taste, texture, and look!
• Most big and small grocery shops and marketplaces carry it.
• This jam recipe has no chemical ingredients or high fructose corn syrup.
• Welchs is held by a co-op of agricultural families, and revenues are distributed directly to the farmers.

Cons:

• The sugar level is rather high, with 11 grams per Tbsp serving.
• With 45 calories per serving, it’s also heavy in calories!
• The jam is often sold in larger-sized containers, which may be troublesome for fridge space or take some time to consume.

2. Most Pure Strawberry Flavor: Santa Cruz Organic Strawberry Fruit Spread

Are you looking for the most strawberry-y strawberry jam? This is the category for you. Although traditional strawberry jam has its place and time, no one can deny that there is a difference between saccharine-sweet strawberry jam and other variants that taste (or are designed to taste) as near to the actual thing as possible. You might compare it to the nuanced taste and lovely scent of a real vanilla bean against fake vanilla-perfumed birthday cake flavored anything. Both tasty but totally different creatures

About Santa Cruz Organic Strawberry Fruit Spread

The first and most important feature of this jam is, you guessed it, the intense strawberry taste! This product was at the top of the taste rankings, brimming with fruit flavor that could only be topped by a day of strawberry picking on a summer day. We believe that one of the reasons it is so wonderful is because it isn’t too sweet like many other jams, jellies, and preserves. Rather, it seems to strike the ideal combination of sweetness and tartness, sugar and acidity. Santa Cruz Organic Strawberry Fruit Spread is also non-GMO confirmed and certified organic by Quality Assurance International, an independent (and global!) certifier.

Strangely, for a product that tastes as good as handmade strawberry jam, the texture isn’t nearly as good. This spread’s consistency, as defined, is undoubtedly smoother and more clarified than the majority of the other items we evaluated. There aren’t nearly as many noticeable berry pieces or seeds, which might be a good or negative thing depending on your tastes! There is also one little factor to consider: the cost. At 9.5 fluid ounces, this jar of Santa Cruz Organic Strawberry Fruit Spread was one of the smallest we discovered, but it was also one of the most affordable.

Pros:

• The most authentic strawberry taste of any brand or kind we tested!
• Excellent combination of sweetness and acidity, without being overbearing.
• Quality Assurance International has certified this product as organic.
• Non-GMO certification!

Cons:

• The texture is odd, with a more jelly-like consistency than the rustic-ness one may anticipate. If you’re searching for jam that tastes like handmade jam, this may not be the jam for you.
• Santa Cruz Organic Strawberry Fruit Spread was one of the most costly per ounce of all the jams we tested.

3. Most Nutritious Strawberry Jam: Crofters Just Fruit Spread Organic Strawberry

Everyone who has dabbled with canning and preserving, or who has merely read up on the issue, will tell you that it is not difficult to discover a simple and uncomplicated strawberry jam recipe. Most recipes just call for a few ingredients. So, why, oh why, do so many store-bought strawberry jams have long ingredient lists and potentially harmful chemicals like high fructose corn syrup or food dyes? Of sure, since it is less expensive! However, there’s something appealing about items manufactured with refined sugars and powerful, synthetic flavorings.

But, sometimes it is necessary to put flavor on the back burner (while keeping it in mind!) and prioritize nutritious value above everything else. As a result, we present to you: the finest strawberry jam for the health-conscious.

About Crofters Just Fruit Spread Organic Strawberry

Most jams and preserves are rather healthful delicacies in their own right. Most of them are made with natural fruits and contain no saturated fat (or any fat! ), cholesterol, or salt. That being said, the important thing to look for in jams and jellies is sugar concentration (which directly determines total calorie intake) and, more precisely, the form these sugars take. Crofters Simply Fruit Spread Organic Strawberry excels in this category! Apart from its fruit-based core components of white grape juice concentrate, strawberries, and apple fruit pectin, the only additional additions are ascorbic acid and citric acid! That’s correct, there’s no refined sugar in this jam, and the sole sweetness comes from the strawberries, with a little assistance from white grape juice concentrate. With just 7 grams of sugar per serving, the overall sugar level is approximately half that of its ultra sweet cousins. As a consequence, the calorie level is among the lowest we found, at just 30 calories per serving. As an added benefit, this certified organic and non-GMO tested jam provides a little amount of calcium, 2% of your RDA, and 10% of your vitamin C!

Unfortunately, the biggest disadvantage of this jam is its flavor. It’s still tasty, but it’s more acidic and less sweet than some other, finer jams. Also, the look of this jam was not quite as appealing as some others, with a very light tint and a texture that seemed shredded rather than showcasing those wonderful, large, distinct chunks of strawberries that most people like. This was also one of the most costly jams we tasted, costing $0.61 per ounce! This is not unexpected given that refined sugar is inexpensive but fruit concentrate is costly to produce.

Pros:

• Crafted with whole fruit components and no additional additives, tastes, or colors.
• It’s sweetened with white grape concentrate rather of processed sugars or corn syrup, so it’s minimal in calories.
• It has a hint of calcium and a healthy dose of vitamin C!
• Organic certification and non-GMO verification.

Cons:

• Certainly tarter than other, sweeter varieties of strawberry jam.
• The texture is less appealing than some other alternatives since the berries seem shredded rather than staying in distinct bits.
• Certainly more pricey than many of the other jams we looked at.

4. Best Specialty Strawberry Jam: Trappist Strawberry Preserve

We tried various strawberry preserves that we thought were specialist selections, each with some really appealing attributes! Chia seeds were added to one of them for a nice feel and extra nourishment! Another option was a thick, rich French-style strawberry jam. Although we liked these items for a variety of reasons, they did fall short in a few key areas. Fortunately, there was a clear winner in this unusual category who checked all the essential conditions, making our selection simple!

About Trappist Strawberry Preserve

Let us to showcase Trappist Strawberry Preserve to you. In our humble view, this product is amazing and distinctive from start to finish. The first thing you notice when you open the jar is that there are entire strawberries within. That’s correct, entire berries in that little container! When the berries have been cooked, they have shrunk in contrast to entire, fresh strawberries. But, the loss of bulk is offset by an unrivaled concentration of taste. These entire berries are suspended in a dark crimson gel, similar to a runny jelly, that binds everything together and preserves the fruit. The look of these whole strawberries and their stunning color implies that this jam would be ideal for use as a yogurt or dessert topping, or simply to jazz up a plain piece of bread. Your best chance here is to make sure those magnificent berries are on show, whichever you chose to serve it. As if the product itself wasn’t fantastic enough, the manner it’s created simply adds to its coolness! The monks of St. Josephs Monastery in Spencer, Massachusetts, make the whole Trappist preserves line, so you can feel good about supporting a small batch manufacturer rather than a large conglomerate.

The disadvantage of Trappist Strawberry Preserve’s unique origin and modest production is that it may not be as readily accessible as other brands and types. We were fortunate to locate our jar at a regional big supermarket chain, but depending on where you live, you may have to rely on internet shopping to acquire your jam. We think it’s well worth it! Also, the calorie content of 50 calories per tablespoon places this one at the top of the list of those we evaluated, as does the sugar amount. This strawberry jam contains not just added sugar, but also corn syrup, resulting in a staggering 13 grams of sugar per serving.

Pros:

• A one-of-a-kind product made out of entire strawberries preserved in a rich, crimson, jelly-like substance.
• Ideal for uses where presentation is critical, such as toppings or as part of a breakfast spread, or even a fruit and cheese buffet!
• This product was handcrafted in a monastery in central Massachusetts, giving it a unique narrative and supporting a small-batch manufacturer.

Cons:

• Is unlikely to be as readily accessible as other major, national jams.
• However, this jam is not the healthiest option for you, since it has 50 calories per serving, owing to the 13 grams of sugar in each serving.

5. Best Low-Sugar Strawberry Jam: Trader Joe’s Organic Reduced Sugar Strawberry Preserves

Low-sugar jams and preserves may be tricky business. Sugar is really required for good fruit preservation since it prevents mold development and helps to keep the fruit shelf stable. When canning and preserving were the only ways to get the nutritious advantages of fresh fruits in the off-season before contemporary freezer technology and international food markets, this extra sugar was significantly less of a worry. Nevertheless, in today’s society, this is not necessarily optimal or desired, since too much sugar may lead to a variety of health problems.

To address the demand for reduced sugar jam and jelly choices, we discovered that many manufacturers use synthetic sweeteners in jams. Although research on the safety of such products continues to provide inconsistent findings, we prefer to avoid them if feasible. And, happily, this Trader Joe’s reduced sugar choice may assist us in doing exactly that!

About Trader Joe’s Organic Reduced Sugar Strawberry Preserves

The most crucial thing we considered while reviewing strawberry jams with less sugar was flavor, and Trader Joes Organic Reduced Sugar Strawberry Preserves proved up to the challenge! In fact, we just wrote so wonderful! under the flavor notes for this product during taste testing. That’s all there is to it! This strawberry jam was absolutely sweet, creamy, and pleasant while having just 6 grams of sugar per serve. It hits all of the correct notes without the use of artificial sweeteners, flavors, or food colors (which plenty of other brands did, we might add). As you may know, low-sugar also implies low-calorie, and this jam is a steal at just 25 calories per tablespoon! This implies you might use two teaspoons for the same number of calories as one tablespoon of the other, higher sugar versions. In terms of pricing, this jam was clearly one of the less expensive jams we tried, which surprised us since many of the other low-sugar or similarly specialized jams were more expensive. Also, since it’s prepared with organic strawberries, it’s certified organic by Quality Assurance International!

Overall, the ingredients and nutritional panel of this jam seemed to be picture-perfect, but there was one little detail that drew our attention. Why 10 milligrams of sodium? Obviously, this is a little quantity, and maybe it was essential to boost the taste of a low-sugar product just a tad, but it’s still worth mentioning! There are lots of entirely salt-free choices available, especially for those managing their sodium consumption. Moreover, although Trader Joe’s is a worldwide brand, we understand that some people may not have one in their town, making this jam in particular more difficult to find.

Pros:

• Excellent flavor that was adequately sweet, particularly for a low-sugar product.
• Includes just 6 grams of total sugars per serving, compared to the 12 to 13 grams found in most other jams.
• Artificial sweeteners or chemicals are not used to replace the missing sugars!
• Each tablespoon has just 25 calories!
• Extremely cheap alternative, exactly on par with the most cost-effective jams we tested.

Cons:

• Includes a trace of sodium, which seems weird and unneeded!
• Exclusively available at Trader Joe’s, which may not be easy for everyone to find and purchase at.

6. Best All-Around Strawberry Jam: Bonne Maman Strawberry Preserves

Although we’ve explored lots of solutions that hit all the right notes in a variety of areas, we always want to examine one option that strikes the appropriate balance of many distinct criteria. The greatest all-around jam is a terrific choice if you’re searching for a mix of health (i.e., no artificial ingredients) while still wanting your jam to taste great and look nice!

About Bonne Maman Strawberry Preserves

This product from Bonne Maman is arguably the closest thing to homemade jam you’ll find without cooking your own! When you open the attractive gingham-checked cover, you’ll be greeted with the seductive perfume of fresh strawberries and a superb natural flavor that isn’t artificial or boosted in any way, unlike some other jams. The ingredients for Bonne Maman Strawberry Preserves are straightforward: ripe strawberries, sugar, brown cane sugar, concentrated lemon juice, and added pectin. We believe that the use of brown sugar in addition to conventional white sugar contributes to the rich, deep taste. We also like the package. The patterned top and hexagonal shaped jar set it apart from the crowd, and these preserves would look great on a picnic table or as part of a charcuterie display. It’s also non-GMO certified!

However, in order to obtain the title of finest all-around jam, this jam makes certain nutritional sacrifices. We like that the ingredient list includes identifiable whole foods and components, however it does include a lot of sugar13 grams per serving, which corresponds to 50 calories per tablespoon! Plus, this jar of preserves openly proclaims that it is a product of France, which gives it the appearance of being extremely elegant and lovely! On the other hand, there are so many fantastic local fruit farmers and small batch jam makers that it’s always a good idea to seek out and support those alternatives rather than the far away ones.

Pros:

• The appearance is similar to that of something you’d see at a farmers market, with a distinctively shaped jar and patterned top.
• The jam tastes like luscious, juicy strawberries and is not at all fake.
• Strawberry, sugar, lemon juice, and pectin are the only ingredients.
• Brown sugar is used to the recipe in addition to white sugar, giving it a deep taste unlike any other jam we tested.
• Non-GMO certification!

Cons:

• Sugar and calorie content are high, with 13 grams of sugar and 50 calories per 1 tablespoon serving.
• This seems to be a locally created jam from France, so a wonderful option would be to search for locally produced preserves in your region!

Ranking the Best Strawberry Jams, Jellies, & Preserves: The Bottom Line

Although there is no way to go wrong when choosing up a jar of strawberry jam from the market, we hope our advice has helped you in determining which values are most important to you. Whether you want a toast topping that is as healthful as possible or a strawberry spread that tastes as similar to a basket of fresh berries as possible, there is a strawberry jam for you!

Do you want to make your own strawberry jam now that you’ve read about all of these other delicious jams and preserves? You’ve got this! Make our 3-Ingredient Strawberry Jam Recipe. Who knows, maybe you’ll end up on our list of the Best Strawberry Jams as well!