On the shelf, jars of jam tend to look alike. Behind that similar appearance, though, the methods can differ enormously.
Artisan jam generally puts the fruit first, while industrial production aims above all at consistency and margin.
A question of ingredients
The first difference usually sits in the recipe.
Artisan jams generally use:
- more fruit,
- simple ingredients,
- short, readable recipes.
Industrial production, by contrast, may include flavourings, colourings or texturing agents to reach a standardised result.
The part skill plays
Making artisan jam takes time.
It is often cooked in small batches, to protect the natural aromas of the fruit.
Since every harvest differs, the result can vary slightly from one year to the next.
Flavour first
Artisan jam sets out to show the fruit.
You generally find more nuanced flavours, a less uniform texture and a character particular to each recipe.
Why the price is sometimes higher
The cost of the raw materials, the time it takes and the small quantities produced usually explain the gap.
It isn’t simply a jar of jam, but the result of work done by hand.
Another way of choosing
Choosing artisan jam means favouring the quality of the ingredients and the skill of the maker.
It is often how people rediscover what fruit actually tastes like.
👉 Discover our selection of French artisan jams in the Terroir shop.