Has store bought jam changed over the years? Im not really a jam person but I don’t ever remember it being this gelatined. From what I remember it was more runnier or softer I guess.
And yes I have made jam in the past. I know all about the wriggle and wrinkle test.
I’d say it has. I rarely buy it because I make my own, but we had some at work a couple of days ago and I thought exactly the same thing. It checked the ingredients, it’s down to 40% fruit, and had a mysterious “gelling agent” added as well as pectin. It was ok, but the texture was more like a gelatin based jelly. Shrinkflation where they reduce the quality instead of the pack size.
Yes. Thank you for the validation. I remember flavoured yogurt too being pourable. Now it’s “thick and creamy” which is a lie. It’s thickened with shit and it tastes like shit. I’m becoming one of those people back in my day….
To be jam it has to have a very high percentage of sugars so 40% sounds about right. When I make it I use 35% fruit, 35% sugar and the rest is water ( which gets boiled down ) So the end product is slightly more sugar than fruit.
It’s been a long long time since I’ve made jam but I remember fruit, sugar, grated apple, lemon juice and water. I can not remember the quantities though.
@CEOofmyhouse56@Seagoon_ yes. I’ve gradually purchased increasingly expensive jam to avoid this effect, and I’m now at small batch super premium jam or annual stockpiling of the Yamba CWA stall jam when we holiday there.
Our specialist jam maker in Bega very recently passed away and although I obviously feel sad for him and his family; but wtf do we do sourcing good jam now? My partner’s mom had to ship them and everything.
Jeez, just randomly dying on us like that is so inconsiderate.
Yes, it has changed a lot. It’s now made with corn syrup, not cane sugar. It’s definitely got added setting agents, probably agar or pectin. Many have dried powdered apple peel , which ups the fruit content and helps with setting.
The varieties have changed too. Traditional jams like plum or 4 fruits are hard to find.
The Beerenberg range is pretty good. Cunliffe Waters are also good but a little harder to find (and the name make me giggle so that’s a bonus too.) And whenever I find myself in country area I always check out the local gourmet produce store or farmers markets and look for jams.
Nothing beats home made though.
Has store bought jam changed over the years? Im not really a jam person but I don’t ever remember it being this gelatined. From what I remember it was more runnier or softer I guess.
And yes I have made jam in the past. I know all about the wriggle and wrinkle test.
jamflation is real
I hate jamflation.
I’d say it has. I rarely buy it because I make my own, but we had some at work a couple of days ago and I thought exactly the same thing. It checked the ingredients, it’s down to 40% fruit, and had a mysterious “gelling agent” added as well as pectin. It was ok, but the texture was more like a gelatin based jelly. Shrinkflation where they reduce the quality instead of the pack size.
Yes. Thank you for the validation. I remember flavoured yogurt too being pourable. Now it’s “thick and creamy” which is a lie. It’s thickened with shit and it tastes like shit. I’m becoming one of those people back in my day….
To be jam it has to have a very high percentage of sugars so 40% sounds about right. When I make it I use 35% fruit, 35% sugar and the rest is water ( which gets boiled down ) So the end product is slightly more sugar than fruit.
It’s been a long long time since I’ve made jam but I remember fruit, sugar, grated apple, lemon juice and water. I can not remember the quantities though.
@CEOofmyhouse56 @Seagoon_ yes. I’ve gradually purchased increasingly expensive jam to avoid this effect, and I’m now at small batch super premium jam or annual stockpiling of the Yamba CWA stall jam when we holiday there.
You can’t go wrong with the CWA. They produce the good stuff.
@CEOofmyhouse56 the good stuff, but also some extremely suspect fruit/veg chutney combos 🧐
Our specialist jam maker in Bega very recently passed away and although I obviously feel sad for him and his family; but wtf do we do sourcing good jam now? My partner’s mom had to ship them and everything.
Jeez, just randomly dying on us like that is so inconsiderate.
(Joking of course)
Hopefully he left his secret recipe to someone deserving and motivated.
Yes, it has changed a lot. It’s now made with corn syrup, not cane sugar. It’s definitely got added setting agents, probably agar or pectin. Many have dried powdered apple peel , which ups the fruit content and helps with setting.
The varieties have changed too. Traditional jams like plum or 4 fruits are hard to find.
That’s interesting. No wonder the yanks call it jelly. Plum jam and forest fruits were always around. That’s sad.
Jelly is strained fruit , it’s clear. It’s different to jam.
I mourn the passing of Melon & Lemon jam. Apparently the right kind of melons just aren’t grown anymore.
I think the regular ones have. Hardly buy them anymore, I stick to the more gourmet brands. They are more expensive but worth it.
Which gourmet brands because Bonne Maman is a little better but not much? I just want a jam that tastes like jam God damn it. Hahaha.
The Beerenberg range is pretty good. Cunliffe Waters are also good but a little harder to find (and the name make me giggle so that’s a bonus too.) And whenever I find myself in country area I always check out the local gourmet produce store or farmers markets and look for jams. Nothing beats home made though.
I like beerenberg. It’s been a while since I’ve had it.
Cunliffe. What an unfortunate name!
You can still get decent jam at the store, but it’s $6+ a jar.
Oh I’m happy to buy expensive jam if it means it’s proper jam. I think I’ll just buy homemade jam at the market.
I think its Bakers from NZ that I get from Coles worth. Its as close as I’ve found to home made but it’s around $6 when it’s not on special.
I’ll have a look into that. Thanks
Yah it’s Barker’s and it’s good stuff
Thats the one!
I’m on it. Thanks
Their passionfruit curd is pretty close to home made too.
Oooo. That interests me a lot. Thank you.