In article .com>,
"-L." > wrote:

> Hey Barb,
>
> Are there any commercially available brands of jams and preserves that
> you prefer over others? (Other than Gedney, of course!) I am always
> on the lookout for a good fruit preserve. Dickinson's is one brand
> I like: http://www.dickinsonsfamily.com/ and I am almost afraid to try
> others because if they are off, you are stuck with a pot full of
> preserves not worth eating.
>
> TIA for any input.
>
> -L.

Buy? You jest, right? <grin> First, I don't eat them. Well, not
very much, anyway. Others in my family do. :0). I don't dislike them
categorically, it's just that I don't think about eating them. Rob,
OTOH, and Small Child * well, ya gotta have toast in the morning.
Second, I make about 400 jars every summer. To buy would be that coals
to Newcastle thing. ;-)

A couple things, though. One reason the Gedney products are so danged
good is because they're made with <gasp!> sugar. That's also why
they're more expensive than Kraft and Smuckers, etc. The Gedney folks
use sugar rather than corn syrup or high fructose. And they use
identifiable pieces of fruit, too!

Try a "gourmet shop" product, something you'd find in a good kitchen
goods shop with a food section * it's more likely to be made in small
batches than the Kraft/Smucker's/Welch's stuff. You'll also find more
flavor combinations that you'll want to believe. Look at the
ingredients list. It should read fruit, sugar, pectin, and citric acid
(quite likely). And if you like fruit butters, the ingredient list
should *not* contain pectin!

I think I had Malkin's Brand jam once years ago * my local Fleet Farm
store stocks it * it's in a can! It's worth a shot. It's a Canadian
company. http://www.canadasfood.com/retailers.php might help you find
a retailer.

You want my price list? :-) I've nothing available now but when May
comes, so does the rhubarb. <:-0)

I hope this helps.
--
-Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJ
http://web.mac.com/barbschaller - Winter pic and a snow pic
http://jamlady.eboard.com
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/amytaylor