Tag: Homemade preserves

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a product labeled as jam must contain at least 55% sugar by weight, underscoring sugar's fundamental role in traditional preserves. This is not just for sweetness, but also for vital preservation and texture properties.

According to the World Health Organization, average fruit intake often falls below recommended levels for many people worldwide. While fresh fruit is the gold standard for nutrition, fruit preserves offer a convenient alternative, but the question remains: Are fruit preserves healthy? The answer is nuanced and depends heavily on preparation, sugar content, and portion size.

Fact: The success of homemade jam often hinges on the right pectin. So, is there a sugar free Sure Jell product? The short answer is yes and no, as the brand offers a specialized option but requires careful consideration for truly sugar-free recipes.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a product must be at least 55% sugar by weight to be classified as a jam. Understanding this high sugar content is the first step in deciding which is healthier, jam or marmalade, as both are primarily composed of fruit and sugar, but differ in key nutritional aspects related to their ingredients and preparation.

Traditional homemade jam can be up to 50% sugar by weight, acting as both a sweetener and a crucial gelling agent. This raises the question for health-conscious cooks: **can you make jam with stevia instead of sugar** for a healthier, lower-calorie alternative? The answer is yes, but it requires a specialized approach, specifically using a no-sugar-needed pectin or other thickening agents, to achieve the desired texture and flavor.