Jams use one of the oldest food preservation techniques in human history. It is always a great start to the day if you have delicious jam to spread over your toast or bagels. Jams are not only limited to being used as spreads. They can also be used as cakes sauces and fillings that can elevate any dish or pastry, no matter how simple it is. They are also derived from fruits so they have certain health benefits.
But if you’re a jam aficionado, you would have gotten tired of the old marmalade and strawberry staples. Although the classics will always be loved, you want something new to pique your interest. Here are 8 Unique and delicious jams that will tickle your taste buds.
1. Guava Jam
This jam is particularly popular in Southeast Asia and South America. It is derived from the Guava fruit, which is an oval-shaped fruit with greenish and yellowish skins. The seeds are edible and the fruit contains a lot of fiber, vitamin C, and potassium. Taste-wise, Guava jam has a slightly tart flavor that is perfect for spreading on toast or used as a filling. It can also be used as a sweetener for yogurts or shakes.
2. Kiwi Jam
Kiwi Jam is made from Kiwifruit and while it has a tropical look and taste, it is actually more common in temperate countries. Although Kiwifruit originated in China, it was first mass-produced in New Zealand where it got its namesake from New Zealand’s national bird, the Kiwi. The fruit has a brown fuzzy surface, which totally belies the vibrant green flesh inside. It is rich in vitamin C and has a sweet-sour and complex flavor. Due to its fresh and tart flavor, it is great for parfaits, smoothies and can even be used for salsas.
3. Dragon Fruit Jam
The dragon fruit is one of the most unique-looking fruits you will ever see. It has red skin with a violet shade, and its flesh is speckled with small seeds the same vibrant color as its skin. The fruit is considered a superfood and is rich in antioxidants, specifically vitamin C. When processed into a jam, it has a rich and creamy texture, with a slightly gritty texture because of the seeds. It is best used as a spread or as a cake sauce.
4. Banana Jam
Although banana is one of the most common fruits out there, it is also one of the most versatile. It makes a particularly great jam. Banana jams are usually made of overly ripe bananas. It is a uniquely sweet jam and is full of potassium, fiber, and vitamin C. Due to its sweet and creamy texture, it goes well with toast, waffles, and other pastries. Because of its potent sweetness, it can also be used as a sweetener.
5. Durian Jam
The Durian fruit is well-known for having a particularly unique odor. And while it is an acquired taste, it can be processed into a very filling and delicious jam. The Durian fruit is known to have a complex flavor that is a mix of sweet and savory. This is also an apt description of the jam. The most famous interpretation of a Durian jam is the Thai paste jelly known as Guan. It is known to be extremely sticky, sweet with undertones of saltiness. Durian jams are great as fillings and can be even made into a type of hard candy.
6. Custard Apple Jam
The custard apple is a particularly strange looking fruit, but it has an incredibly subtle and balanced flavor. Its outer shell may look a bit like a wrinkled apple, but the flesh is creamy and sweet. Its seeds are large, dark, and tear-shaped and should be removed before processing. It offers a number of health benefits such as antioxidants, vitamin B6 and C. It is also a great source of potassium. Due to their balanced and creamy texture, custard apple jams go great with flans and tarts.
7. Mangosteen Jam
The Mangosteen fruit has a very subtle flavor profile. It has the sour flavor of a pear with a smooth and delicate texture. The fruit has long been used as a traditional medicine in Southeast Asian countries. When processed into a jam, it still retains its uniquely tart flavor and goes perfectly with toast and other pastries. It can also be used to flavor cakes and salads.
8. Mango Jam
Although mango jam is a lot less exotic compared to the others on this list, it is still delicious and has one of the most tropical tastes and themes. Mango is one of the sweetest fruits in the world and has a sweet and tangy taste that is truly unique. Aside from being delicious, it is also packed with fiber and vitamin C which makes it a great choice for a jam. When processed into a jam, it is wonderfully sweet and fruity and practically dissolves on your tongue. It is perfect as both a spread or a cake sauce. It can also be used as a filling for various pastries.
Jams are a great way to enjoy and preserve fruits. Not only are they great sources of fiber and vitamins because they are derived from fruits, but they are also quite easy to make. All you need is fruit, sugar, a form of acid, and viola! you have created your very own jam. But aside from these core ingredients, you also need the right hardware. You need quality custom glass containers to store them in.
When purchasing glass containers, you should opt for custom made glass. Custom made glass containers are more sturdy, and are usually made of recycled glass. Which makes it earth-friendly. With custom glass packaging you are guaranteed that the preservation process will go as smoothly as possible.
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