14 Small-Batch Jams Made from Fruits Most People Never Try
If you’re someone who loves trying new flavors, small-batch jams made from unique fruits are a delightful way to step outside the ordinary. These jams offer a chance to explore rare and exotic fruits that most people have never encountered before. Whether it’s a tropical gem or an underappreciated berry, each jam brings its own distinct taste and character. The beauty of these jams lies in their ability to highlight the natural sweetness and complexity of fruits that aren’t typically found in the grocery store. Perfect for spreading on toast, topping desserts, or pairing with cheeses, they add a special touch to any meal.
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Jabuticaba Jam
Jabuticaba, a native Brazilian fruit, is often compared to grapes but has a unique, tart flavor. The fruit grows directly on the trunk of the tree, giving it an interesting look. Its dark purple skin surrounds a sweet, tangy pulp that makes for a rich jam.
Jabuticaba jam is a favorite in small batches due to its complex flavor that combines tartness with a deep sweetness. It pairs well with cheeses and can be used as a topping for desserts or mixed into yogurts. The jam preserves the fruit’s natural color, giving it a beautiful deep purple hue. This rare fruit offers a one-of-a-kind treat that is sure to surprise anyone who has yet to try it.
Salak Jam
Salak, also known as snake fruit, is a tropical fruit native to Indonesia and Malaysia. The fruit gets its name from its reddish-brown, scaly skin, but the inside is firm and crunchy, with a sweet-tart flavor. Making jam from salak results in a sweet and slightly tangy preserve that pairs well with tropical dishes.
Its natural acidity balances the sweetness, giving the jam a fresh and zesty profile. The texture is slightly fibrous, providing an interesting contrast when spread on bread or used as a topping for pancakes. Salak jam offers an exotic twist on traditional fruit spreads, introducing a taste of Southeast Asia into your kitchen.
Longan Jam
Longan, often referred to as “dragon’s eye,” is a small, translucent fruit native to Southeast Asia. It has a mildly sweet and floral taste that is reminiscent of lychee but less intense. Longan jam brings out the delicate sweetness of the fruit, making it a wonderful complement to various breakfast items.
The jam’s light, syrupy consistency spreads easily and offers a subtle, fragrant flavor. It pairs well with pastries and is a delightful filling for cakes or tarts. The longan’s slightly musky undertones add depth to the jam, making it a standout choice for anyone wanting to try something new. This jam is perfect for those who enjoy more delicate fruit flavors.
Mulberry Jam
Mulberries, often found growing in backyards and along roadsides, have a rich, slightly tart flavor that’s perfect for jam-making. The berries come in various colors, but the deep purple and black varieties are the most commonly used for jam. The jam created from mulberries has a deep, berry-rich taste with hints of fig and blackberry.
Its texture is smooth, and the slight tartness cuts through the sweetness, giving it a balanced flavor. Mulberry jam can be used in a variety of ways, from topping scones to being used as a filling in pies or pastries. This small-batch jam captures the essence of summer in every spoonful and offers a taste of an underappreciated fruit.
Sea Buckthorn Jam
Sea buckthorn is a bright orange berry found in cold climates, often growing in coastal regions. The berries have a sharp, citrus-like tang that makes them perfect for making jam. Sea buckthorn jam has a bold, vibrant flavor that is both sweet and sour. Its tanginess is complemented by a honey-like sweetness, which balances the fruit’s natural acidity.
This jam works wonderfully in savory dishes, especially when paired with meats or cheese, adding an unexpected flavor contrast. Its beautiful orange color is a reflection of its rich vitamin C content. Sea buckthorn jam offers a rare yet refreshing way to enjoy a fruit with incredible health benefits.
Elderberry Jam
Elderberries are often overlooked but are packed with flavor and nutrients. These dark purple berries have a deep, tart flavor that is ideal for making jam. Elderberry jam has a unique richness with a hint of earthy sweetness, making it a perfect spread for morning toast or as a topping for yogurt.
The jam is slightly thicker than most fruit jams, and the elderberries retain their slight bitterness, which enhances the flavor complexity. Elderberries are also known for their medicinal properties, making the jam a delightful treat with potential health benefits. This small-batch jam brings out the essence of the elderberry while retaining its natural depth.
Soursop Jam
Soursop, known for its large green spiky fruit, is found primarily in tropical regions. Its flesh is soft and sweet with a tangy undertone, making it perfect for small-batch jams. The jam made from soursop has a creamy, custard-like texture with a balance of tartness and sweetness. The fruit’s tropical flavor is light yet intense, and the jam captures its unique taste perfectly.
Soursop jam is often used as a topping for pancakes, waffles, or desserts, providing a tropical twist to any dish. The jam’s pale color and smooth consistency make it an appealing addition to any breakfast or snack spread. It is a wonderful way to experience this exotic fruit.
Starfruit Jam
Starfruit, or carambola, is a tropical fruit with a distinctive star-shaped cross-section. The fruit has a tangy, crisp flavor with hints of apple and citrus. Starfruit jam offers a sweet and tart combination that makes for an interesting spread. The jam’s texture is smooth with a slight firmness, reflecting the natural crunch of the fruit.
The bright yellow color of the fruit translates into a vibrant jam that adds a burst of color to any dish. It pairs well with cheese and can also be drizzled over ice cream for a refreshing twist. Starfruit jam is an exciting and visually striking choice for those looking to try something different.
Pineberry Jam
Pineberries are a unique variety of strawberry that are white with red seeds. They have a distinct flavor that combines the taste of strawberries with hints of pineapple, giving them their name. Pineberry jam has a mild, fruity sweetness with a tropical undertone that sets it apart from regular strawberry jam.
The texture is smooth, and the jam retains a light, refreshing taste. Its pale color makes it an attractive spread on toast or scones. Pineberry jam offers a unique twist on traditional berry jams, bringing an exciting flavor profile to your breakfast or dessert. This rare fruit jam is a delightful choice for anyone looking to try something new.
Rambutan Jam
Rambutan, with its hairy, red exterior, is a tropical fruit that resembles lychee. The fruit’s flesh is sweet and juicy, with a subtle floral flavor. Rambutan jam captures this sweet, delicate taste, offering a smooth and slightly floral spread.
The jam has a refreshing sweetness that is less intense than other tropical fruit jams. Its smooth texture and unique taste make it a perfect addition to toast or used as a filling in pastries. Rambutan jam also pairs beautifully with creamy cheeses or yogurt. This small-batch jam offers a rare taste of Southeast Asia that is sure to surprise anyone who has never tried it.
Loquat Jam
Loquat, a small, yellow-orange fruit, is known for its sweet-tart flavor and soft texture. Loquat jam captures the fruit’s refreshing and slightly tangy taste, creating a jam that is both sweet and sour. The jam has a smooth texture with a slight pulpiness, reflecting the fruit’s natural juiciness.
Loquats are often overlooked but are a true gem in the world of small-batch jams. Their unique flavor adds an interesting complexity to the jam, making it a perfect companion for morning toast or cheese boards. Loquat jam is a great way to enjoy a rare, seasonal fruit that is often underappreciated.
Mangosteen Jam
Known as the “queen of fruits,” mangosteen is a small, purple fruit with a sweet and tangy white flesh. Mangosteen jam has a tropical flavor profile with a balance of sweetness and acidity. The jam’s smooth texture and delicate flavor make it an excellent choice for breakfast or as a topping for desserts.
Its subtle tartness makes it refreshing without being overpowering. Mangosteen jam pairs beautifully with cream cheese or yogurt, enhancing the flavor of both. The fruit’s unique taste is retained in the jam, offering a one-of-a-kind fruit spread. This rare fruit jam is a perfect addition to any jam lover’s collection.
Surinam Cherry Jam
Surinam cherries, native to South America, are small, round fruits with a unique flavor that blends sweet and tart notes. The jam made from these cherries has a rich, deep flavor with hints of spice and a slight acidity. It is a thicker jam with a smooth texture that spreads well on toast or crackers.
Surinam cherry jam pairs wonderfully with cheeses and meats, adding a fruity, tangy element to savory dishes. The jam’s vibrant red color reflects the fruit’s bold flavor. This rare jam is an exciting addition to any jam lover’s collection, offering a taste of a lesser-known tropical fruit.
Jackfruit Jam
Jackfruit, the largest fruit that grows on trees, is known for its sweet, tropical flavor and fibrous texture. The jam made from jackfruit is thick and slightly chunky, with a distinctive sweetness. The fruit’s flavor is often described as a mix between banana, pineapple, and mango, giving the jam a rich and tropical taste.
Jackfruit jam works well as a topping for pancakes, waffles, or even ice cream. Its thick consistency makes it perfect for spreading on toast or used in baking recipes. This jam captures the unique flavor of jackfruit, a fruit that is rarely used outside of tropical regions. It is an exotic treat for those seeking something new in their jam collection.
This article originally appeared on Avocadu.