Jams, Jellies or Preserves?

What is the difference? All three are made with fruit cooked with sugar and pectin. Pectin is a type of carbohydrate found in the cell wall of a fruit, and is often used in foods as a gelling agent.

  • Jelly is clear, normally contains no fruit bits and is made with fruit juice.
  • Jams are made using Fruit pulp or crushed fruit.
  • Preserves are made with chunks or whole fruits that are cooked until they are suspended in a syrup base. Preserves are not as smooth as jellies or jams.

Which one should I buy? There is no right or wrong answer. It all comes down to what type of consistency you prefer. My personal favorite? An old fashioned strawberry preserve!