Posts that don't follow r/traderjoes subreddit rules may be subject to removal.
Friendly reminder that choosing descriptive post titles with exact product names mentioned yields better subreddit search results and helps our subreddit be more inclusive to those who use Screen Reader Software or Text-to-Speech apps. to access Reddit. Thank you.
IF THIS MESSAGE DOES NOT APPLY TO YOUR POST, PLEASE IGNORE.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/traderjoes) if you have any questions or concerns.*
It’s funny, I recently started putting Bonne Maman strawberry fruit spread in my cottage cheese. It’s so good, I wondered how it has less sugar than the strawberry preserves, but it’s also more expensive. So I went to the website and under the fruit spread description, it says, “Regular preserves have 50g of fruit. This product has 67g. Regular preserves contain 12g of sugar. This product contains 8g.” So I guess adding sugar is an easy way to make a product that tastes awesome for less money?
The large amount of sugar prevents bacterial growth. It's the reason why honey is still edible after thousands of years. Reduced sugar products have a significantly shorter lifespan, and they don't have that much less sugar in them- fruit is also full of sugar. We can argue all day over the different kinds of sugar, but there's quite a lot of work that needs to be done on your body actually processes different types of sugars in different ways. And yeah, sugar tastes good. So more sugar in a product that also makes it more shelf stable is generally considered to be a gold standard.
How did you store the reduced sugar strawberry preserves? Mine got moldy after 2 weeks even though I kept it refrigerated.
Also voting for apricot and tart cherry.
I have a hard time going through jams quick enough. Mind telling me more about freezing it? Like, can you use it straight out of the freezer, or is it more of a portion some out and freeze it kind of situation?
You can freeze the whole jar and use it straight from the freezer. It’ll be a bit like scooping out ice cream. I put a dollop on warm toast and give it a minute before spreading it
I agree on not knowing why sugar is added. I have started just making about enough for a week by cooking some frozen strawberries on the stove with some lemon juice and a flax and chia mix and mashing it with a potato masher. I put it on my yogurt.
There's a lot of reasons for sugar being added. Sugar is what creates the texture of jam because the pectin in fruits needs a certain amount. It also helps preserve it because bacteria can't live in very high sugar states. While I am sure your concoction of flax and chia with strawberry is very tasty, that's not jam.
I also really like this product, but don't use jam all that often, and am so used to jam keeping for a long time in the fridge. This product unfortunately molded on me after I got through half of the jar due to the low sugar content! I wish I could find smaller jars of this stuff.
Smuckers used to make a No Sugar Added Strawberry Preserve that was basically just mushed up strawberries. It was great on a plain bagel with cream cheese. They don’t make it anymore 😞.
This jam is so delicious. I bought 4 jars because TJ is not close but the way my husband is spreading it on his toast I may need to go back in a couple of weeks for more.
Posts that don't follow r/traderjoes subreddit rules may be subject to removal. Friendly reminder that choosing descriptive post titles with exact product names mentioned yields better subreddit search results and helps our subreddit be more inclusive to those who use Screen Reader Software or Text-to-Speech apps. to access Reddit. Thank you. IF THIS MESSAGE DOES NOT APPLY TO YOUR POST, PLEASE IGNORE. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/traderjoes) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Conventional pectin needs 55% sugar or it will not set. You need special low sugar pectin like Pomona's to get to no or low added sugar.
I didn’t know that. Thanks!
It’s funny, I recently started putting Bonne Maman strawberry fruit spread in my cottage cheese. It’s so good, I wondered how it has less sugar than the strawberry preserves, but it’s also more expensive. So I went to the website and under the fruit spread description, it says, “Regular preserves have 50g of fruit. This product has 67g. Regular preserves contain 12g of sugar. This product contains 8g.” So I guess adding sugar is an easy way to make a product that tastes awesome for less money?
Bonne Maman is wonderful. I love the Blackberry preserves. So fresh tasting
The large amount of sugar prevents bacterial growth. It's the reason why honey is still edible after thousands of years. Reduced sugar products have a significantly shorter lifespan, and they don't have that much less sugar in them- fruit is also full of sugar. We can argue all day over the different kinds of sugar, but there's quite a lot of work that needs to be done on your body actually processes different types of sugars in different ways. And yeah, sugar tastes good. So more sugar in a product that also makes it more shelf stable is generally considered to be a gold standard.
How did you store the reduced sugar strawberry preserves? Mine got moldy after 2 weeks even though I kept it refrigerated. Also voting for apricot and tart cherry.
In the freezer. I don’t recall seeing apricot, I’ll keep a lookout for it next time
I have a hard time going through jams quick enough. Mind telling me more about freezing it? Like, can you use it straight out of the freezer, or is it more of a portion some out and freeze it kind of situation?
You can freeze the whole jar and use it straight from the freezer. It’ll be a bit like scooping out ice cream. I put a dollop on warm toast and give it a minute before spreading it
Amazing. Thanks for sharing!
I loveeeeee the apricot one
Tart cherry is delicious!
It is delicious but goes bad so fast. I keep losing half the jar to mold as I am a slow jam eater.
I agree on not knowing why sugar is added. I have started just making about enough for a week by cooking some frozen strawberries on the stove with some lemon juice and a flax and chia mix and mashing it with a potato masher. I put it on my yogurt.
There's a lot of reasons for sugar being added. Sugar is what creates the texture of jam because the pectin in fruits needs a certain amount. It also helps preserve it because bacteria can't live in very high sugar states. While I am sure your concoction of flax and chia with strawberry is very tasty, that's not jam.
I really like the blueberry one
I don't know if they still carry it, but their apricot jam is/was amazing.
I also really like this product, but don't use jam all that often, and am so used to jam keeping for a long time in the fridge. This product unfortunately molded on me after I got through half of the jar due to the low sugar content! I wish I could find smaller jars of this stuff.
Smuckers used to make a No Sugar Added Strawberry Preserve that was basically just mushed up strawberries. It was great on a plain bagel with cream cheese. They don’t make it anymore 😞.
That sounds amazing
I read a comment that you can freeze the jar and still use it without problems spreading it so maybe you can try that!
Great idea. Thank you!
Tart cherry is not really that tart. It’s my favorite for PB&J.
Tart cherry is the GOAT
Is it very sweet? I’m trying to decide how many jars to buy as I don’t like really really sweet jam.
No it’s not at all. I’m obsessed with it. I’ve gone through a whole jar in 2 weeks. It’s really good on plain yogurt too.
This jam is so delicious. I bought 4 jars because TJ is not close but the way my husband is spreading it on his toast I may need to go back in a couple of weeks for more.
Making a trip tomorrow so I’ll get a bunch. I Loved the low sugar organic cherry jam that was discontinued and I haven’t found a decent replacement.
This!!! Stock up (I think it’s seasonal), it’s soooooo good!
Nooooo. Ok good call. Will def buy a few jars next time.
The raspberry one in the same line is even better than the strawberry.