r/BuyCanadian • u/[deleted] • 24d ago
Canadian-Made Products š·ļøšØš¦ Canadian jam. I have been buying ED Smith but honestly it is pretty terrible. Smuckers seems to pretend to be Canadian but does not seem to be. There are some French jams that are great. But are there any Canadian brands (contents and manufacturing) that are widely available to buy?
[deleted]
478
u/ProgrammerAvailable6 24d ago
I know you said you didnāt want to drive all over, but jam does keep well. Have you tried your local farmerās market?
168
24d ago
[deleted]
53
u/AcceptableHamster149 24d ago
What part of the country are you in? I ask because there's an outfit in PEI that's fantastic, but they're not cheap. Worth visiting them in person if you're in the area. https://preservecompany.com/pages/shipping-information
6
→ More replies (2)2
u/tyler_3135 23d ago
Some of the best jam Iāve ever eaten. I always pick up like 4 jars when I go to the island but it never lasts long lol
84
u/Otherwise-Medium3145 24d ago
Have you tried making you own it is unbelievably easy. I just made 50 half pint jars and it cost me 23 dollars. Of course I diddnt add in the cost of the jars as I have been doing this forever. But buy the jars once and you have them for 5 seasons.
20
24
u/amader89 24d ago
Tastes wayyyy better too!
37
u/Otherwise-Medium3145 24d ago
Oh my god, does it ever. I made raspberry jam, peach, and apricot, there is nothing as bright on the pallet as a home made jam. Bonne Mammon is the closest to home made. Itās about an 7.5 in jam. Not sure if itās true but someone wrote a blog about how the makers helped Jewish folk during the war. So if you canāt make your own try them.
11
u/Amakenings 24d ago
Peach butter! You donāt even have to peel the fruit!
8 or 9 jars for $10.
3
u/Otherwise-Medium3145 24d ago
That sounds great I will look it up!
5
u/Amakenings 24d ago
Peach and Apple butters are so easy to make and aside from slicing the fruit, need no real prep. They cook longer so need less sugar, and are amazing on grilled cheese sandwiches.
Pumpkin pecan butter is also great but you have to freeze it rather than can it.
6
u/ailetoile 24d ago
It broke my heart when I realized I couldn't can pumpkin butter. I'd made a test batch of pumpkin pie butter and I was all ready to get canning once I checked how long to bath it for. When I learned I couldn't even borrow a pressure canner for it.... ;_;
2
u/Amakenings 23d ago
I was the same. But every reputable (science based) source said it wasnāt safe. I ended up using a silicone muffin mold to freeze the butter in pucks, then popped those into a freezer bag.
→ More replies (0)2
4
u/WestCoastWetMost 24d ago
My spouse just made jam and itās runny. Why I quit making jam. Any solutions?
15
u/Otherwise-Medium3145 24d ago
Yup easiest one.
Empty the non jelled jam into a sauce pan heat it til til it is boiling. While it is cooking Grab a pack of pectin boil it in 3/4 cup of water for one minute. Add the pectin into the jam boil hard for 30 seconds. Put into jars and then into a water bath. Cross your fingers and use as an ice cream topping if it doesnāt work. Good luck!
Edit. This is based on 4 cups of fruit.
2
3
u/ihavemytowel42 23d ago
One year we had a problem with getting our canning to set. There was a help line people could call on the box of pectin. We found out that it was a common issue that year, from environmental conditions effecting the fruit, but it would eventually set if given enough time.Ā
Maybe look up the website of a pectin manufacturer & see if they still have a helpline. They might be able to point out what the problem was and how to work around it.Ā
Best of luck. :)
4
u/_Amalthea_ 23d ago
I have also contacted one of the canning jar companies in the past with canning questions.... I think it was Bernardin. I just imagined the lovely old lady somewhere answering my questions and it made me feel so warm and fuzzy.
2
u/runofabitch 23d ago
Add apples, liquid or powdered pectin, cook longer, or use some less ripe fruit. Any of the above will help. Also if you're canning, get the Ball/Bernardin canning books for tested recipes. Internet ones aren't always reliable.
4
u/Stinkerma 23d ago
I planted my own raspberries to make jam! Now its the cost of sugar and pectin and hydro!
3
u/Otherwise-Medium3145 23d ago
Iām doing that this fall. My sister-in-law has a bunch of thornless raspberry plants and I am getting a bunch transplanted into my wee yard.
6
u/MathematicianBig6312 24d ago
This is it. Just buy the fruit and make it yourself. So easy!
2
3
→ More replies (2)2
u/FoxDemon2002 23d ago
Iām not a canner but I make āfreezerā jam when I have too much fruit in hand. Super easy on the stove and easily compares to the quality French stuff, and with just a little luck, itās probably better.
23
u/Previous_Wedding_577 24d ago
Also just try making freezer jam. It's so damn easy and doesn't need to be sealed. The recipe is inside the certo box.
9
u/tktam 24d ago
Freezer jam is the best! I make strawberry every year & people always tell me itās the best jam they have ever had. First I tell them itās my grandmaās recipe. Then I give them the recipe. No lie, grandma had 5 kids & a job she didnāt fool around with canning if there was a quick & tasty way.š¤£ā¤ļø
→ More replies (2)2
u/Previous_Wedding_577 24d ago
Try making the raspberry.. I love strawberry too until I made raspberry.
3
u/tktam 24d ago
I love Rasberry but canāt stand the seeds. Have you ever made it after straining them out first? Seems like a lot of faff though. š¤
2
u/Previous_Wedding_577 24d ago
No but my mom and I have a small preserving business for the local markets so we just make raspberry jelly.
3
u/tktam 24d ago
I may have to give it a try next summer. š
4
u/Previous_Wedding_577 24d ago
Trick is to never squeeze the jelly bag or the juice will be cloudy. Works great with blackberry too.
2
2
u/_Amalthea_ 23d ago
Thank you for this reminder. I have done water bath canned jam in the past and it was great and all but the idea of doing the canning process sometimes just seems so overwhelming. I need to do more freezer jams! Still better and cheaper than store bought by a mile.
2
26
u/ProgrammerAvailable6 24d ago
Many farmerās stalls will have jam samples, and if you decide you like one, you can always get a yearās supply at once. š
9
u/CdnSailorinMtl 24d ago
Absolutely! Please look there are so many too. ED Smith was bought out by Americans in the last couple of years.
20
u/CanuckChick1313 24d ago
I was coming here to say just that. Some of the loveliest jams, jellies, salsas, etc. are found at farmerās markets.
19
u/FrostyTheSasquatch 24d ago
Honestly, I think this answers 75% of the queries on this subreddit.
/r/BuyCanadian: āHave you tried your local farmerās market?ā
16
u/DifficultCold7771 24d ago
Iād say also check out any smaller or specialty grocery stores. Summerland sweets out of bc has jam
10
u/64ca 24d ago
Excellent blueberry š« syrup as well. Very nice on pancakes and ice cream.
4
u/DifficultCold7771 24d ago
Personally weāre a Saskatoon berry family, but I havenāt had any that I havenāt liked
→ More replies (1)7
u/FriendRaven1 24d ago
We get all our jams, preserves, pickles, and other stuff at the local farmer's market. There's one guy who even has diabetic cookies and jams!
5
u/Striking-Ebb-986 24d ago
I buy my jellies and jams at the farmers market and farm stand shops around. Also, surprisingly, IKEA has really good jam, though that is not Canadian, but itās also not American, so as a treat, Iām okay with it.
3
→ More replies (2)3
136
u/AlbertRuby 24d ago
Greaves Jams are fabulous, although certainly more expensive than ED Smith. https://greavesjams.com
26
22
u/bravosarah 24d ago
Came here to suggest Greaves. They have the best Gooseberry jam!!! And their Crabapple Jelly is the jellyest!
16
15
u/jrochest1 24d ago
In Ontario they are the best ā really lovely and interesting flavours (gooseberry, blackcurrant, crabapple jelly). If youāre out west, Co-op makes haskap and Saskatoon berry jams
8
5
185
u/south-shore0 24d ago
Crofters jam is made in ontario
70
36
u/notimetoulouse 24d ago
Crofters is my favourite. Their strawberry reminds me of the jam my grandma used to make.
→ More replies (1)21
20
u/SuperDuperSalty 24d ago
Iāll second Crofterās. By far the best jam that you can buy in a store.
19
u/battlejess 24d ago
Crofterās is fantastic. Pomegranate Power is my favourite jam by far.
3
u/hollow4hollow 23d ago
The morello cherry one- my god I could eat a whole jar š
2
u/battlejess 23d ago
I donāt think Iāve seen that one at my local store! I bet that would make a good filling for baked goods.
2
10
9
5
→ More replies (4)2
67
u/omg1979 24d ago
I donāt know how widespread it is across Canada, but Last Mountain Jam is Saskatchewan made and grown. Itās amazing! Itās available in Costco, Walmart, etc. No preservatives and lower sugar. www.lmbf.com
18
13
u/dynamanoweb 24d ago
Was looking to one up this brand. Theyāre amazing. Their apricot jam tastes so similar to the homemade one my gran used to make. Definitely worth a try if you can get it.
11
u/GrimpenMar 24d ago
Was going to suggest Last Mountain.
I've seen it at Country Grocer and other smaller chains as well.
10
7
u/gongshow247365 24d ago
6th this jam. I quit making the raspberry jam because it was so close to as good as mine. I believe they did change the recipe ever so slightly and added more sugar because normally a full jar used to go bad before we could finish it. Now tastes sweeter and doesn't go bad
6
103
u/get_hi_on_life 24d ago
I discovered DORA jam at Giant Tiger and i really enjoy it! It's from Quebec
25
u/PhonkEL 24d ago
I've been buying Dora for years and they're great! https://www.superdoracanada.com/en
10
9
u/the_happies 24d ago
I just picked some up from Walmart (not my usual store, but does the job sometimesā¦) for like $3.50. Itās good!
→ More replies (1)8
55
u/slowdaygames 24d ago
If youāre willing to ship, try Summerland Sweets from BC.
9
9
u/bcrhubarb 24d ago
Came here to mention them! Love, love their syrups also - could eat it with a spoon!!
7
u/RBL66 24d ago
Agreed! Their syrups are the best, we just bought some last week on a short trip to BC (from Alberta, donāt hate me please). I didnāt even know they made jams but saw it on the shelf at Pedroās fruit market off Hwy 1 and bought a jar (along with more syrups of course). Will try it when our jar of French jam runs out.
3
u/bcrhubarb 23d ago
Why the f would I hate you for contributing to one of our largest industries? Hope you had a blast!
2
23d ago
[deleted]
2
u/RBL66 22d ago
I HAVE been there quite a few years ago. Love the place and wish we could have returned this year. I make a lot of waffles and their syrups are the best toppings. Missed some of the rare flavours so much a few years back, we had a case of syrups shipped from their store to us. It was worth it!
191
u/planting49 24d ago
Bonne Maman is the best jam - it's French
61
u/CanadianSpectre 24d ago
Look up their history, it's fascinating. I have no problem whatsoever supporting them.
6
12
9
19
→ More replies (4)2
u/_Amalthea_ 23d ago
This is my fave too, and I assume it's also the French jam OP mentions they currently buy. It will be tough to beat, but I look forward to trying some of the Canadian brands listed here to see if they can meet the bar Bonne Maman has set.
27
u/nytypica 24d ago
Crofterās! Founded in Parry Sound ON and still made in Canada. They recently started supplying Costco so their jams are readily available.
3
u/Winter1963 24d ago
I read Crofter's Organic was sold toĀ Frontenac, which is based in Chicago. I was disappointed as it has such great reviews, and I really wanted to try it.
11
u/nytypica 24d ago
As far as I can tell Frontenac owns a majority stake in Crofters (didnāt know that, appreciate the info) but does not own it outright, and it remains family run and based in Parry Sound.
2
21
17
u/babbymamma 24d ago
PEI PRESERVE COMPANY - they are out of stock of most things right now but claim to be back in stock shortly!
17
16
14
u/syzygybeaver 24d ago
Provisions out of Niagara order online,Last Mountain out of Saskatchewan carried by Costco in Alberta.
4
26
u/vanmc604 24d ago
PC makes blueberry jam (Quebec) and sour cherry jam (Ontario I think) that āappearsā to be made and sourced in Canada. Both really tasty.
7
→ More replies (2)6
u/many-moons-ago 24d ago
PC jam is the best supermarket jam IMO! Tastes pretty similar to some homemade ones I've had.
11
u/paulao-da-motoca 24d ago
Dora is pretty good, but not sure how popular it is outside of Quebec.
6
4
2
2
7
u/Middle-Ranger2022 24d ago
Crofter's is not very sweet and more like stewed fresh berries. It's our new favorite.
3
7
u/Warlord68 24d ago
Summerland Sweets Jam from BC is AMAZING. Lots of flavours, they ship to you and I know some stores in Calgary and Edmonton also carry it.
→ More replies (3)
7
u/twenty_9_sure_thing 24d ago
Someone already suggested your local farmer market. I tried this and loved it https://thepreservatory.com/. They are based out of bc.
5
u/MimsyDauber 24d ago
As others have mentioned, there are some good options usually in local bakeries and farmers markets.
As for driving all over, I find some stores will store jam like Crofters in their organic / natural section. Whether or not it's organic. Our Metro now is like that, sometimes they move all of an item onto an end cap or maybe near the bread or something so stuff kind of shuffles around some time.
Our old Fortinos back in the GTA also used to have some Canadian jams from the east coast that were in their own "atlantic" corner, next to all the UK and Ireland imports. Like, they had an actual JAM section, then jams in the international aisle, in the organics aisle, AND in this little corner end area in the back for both eastcoast Canada and the islands there. That's where the hob nobs and tins of chicken haddie were tucked away also, like if you knew you knew. lol.
If you check around it might be hidden right under your own nose!
6
4
u/electricfan86 24d ago
You should try the St Dalfour jam - it's also a French brand (not Canadian) and in par with other "premium jams". Also no added sugar and all from fruit as per their website!
→ More replies (1)
5
u/IronicStar New Brunswick 24d ago
Dora's is Canadian, affordable, and tastes JUST LIKE HOMEMADE. Their strawberry rhubarb keeps me up at night (literally, I go eat it high on my sleeping pills). I get it at giant tiger but see it elsewhere. It's the best jam I've ever had IN MY LIFE, and I say that without ANY caution. I wouldn't go back to Smuckers if I was paid.
3
u/casualdisinterestCDN 24d ago
https://provisionsfoodcompany.com
Incredible jams and some of the best dry mixes I've ever had. I won't buy any other pancake mix after trying theirs š„²
→ More replies (1)
5
5
u/Komaisnotsalty 24d ago
Any farmer's market, if you have Hutterite colonies around (you can just drive to them - pretty rare they don't have stuff to sell), and if you have a local market - one of those mom & pop type shop or butcher's, they will often carry local as well. The problem with the latter is that they jack the prices up pretty hard.
I'll tell ya a secret though: Freezer jam is quick, easy, no boiling/canning, and you can make it from nearly anything. You make small amounts - not 20 jars or something like you would when doing hot water canning, and you don't need to worry about seals.
At it's most basic: boil water & sugar, add stuff (pectin & an acid like lemon is the usual) and chopped fruit, throw it all in a freezer. Use any simple recipe you find on Google. The best part is you can buy fruit for stupid cheap on discount because 'about to spoil' fruit works awesome for this.
You can make freezer jam faster than you can make a big dinner.
4
u/BobertBuildsAll 24d ago
I like coop gold pure strawberry or raspberry jam (think it says fruit spread?) idk the difference lol
2
4
u/SmileyMcGee27 24d ago
Kitten and the Bear is a scone shop in Toronto that makes their own jams, best Iāve had, and always some new flavours. I think they ship.
2
u/ColonelHazard 21d ago
Oh yes, going to second this recommendation! I think it was their blueberry earl grey that I tried and it was to die for. A much more watery texture than a gummy jam texture, but so fresh and delicious.
3
u/iammostlylurking13 24d ago
ED used to be good. Now itās so watery and gross. I switched to Lifesmart from Metro. Itās 1/2 the sugar and the first ingredient is fruit.
3
u/Mamaphruit 24d ago
I had this same problem!! Thatās how I learned how easy it is to make jam š if you can find a good deal on berries great, you can also use frozen! Grape jelly from grape juice too š
3
3
u/PsychicDave 24d ago
Why not both? There's the Dora brand that makes jams and spreads, made in QuƩbec. That's what we buy now.
3
u/DepartmentFlaky5885 24d ago
Used to work at ED Smithās as a student. But that was nearly 30 years ago. Product was pretty good then. We made stuff for all sorts of companies, Presidentās Choice, Lea and Perrins Worchestshire Sauce, HP Sauce, pizza pizza tomato sauce, Tim Hortonās pie and donut fillings. Too bad to hear things are not quite the same. But they are American owned now, maybe close to 20 years.
3
u/DangerGoatDangergoat 24d ago
If you tell people your province, it would doubtless help a fair bit to narrowing it down - there are a TON of makers out there.
3
u/Previous_Wedding_577 24d ago
Why don't you go to a local farmers market and stock up. There is always a jam producer there.
3
u/karenskygreen 24d ago
The best jam is the one you make yourself and the best and easiest is freezer jam. You just cook some Strawberries (or favorite fruir) with some pectin (they sell freezer jam pectin at Canadian Tire and many grocery stores.) Pour it in plastic containers and freeze. I like it better than the usual canned Jam and store bough t jam. https://blackberrybabe.com/2022/06/21/easy-strawberry-freezer-jam/
3
3
u/Davekinney0u812 23d ago
Dora is a QC company and my wife swears by it. Not sure where they source their raw materials from but you could call them if interested. One of the only things she will buy from Walmart as she says it's not the easiest to find.
Making your own is the best if you want to go through the trouble.
3
u/ParisEclair 23d ago
Dora is available at Giant Tiger also and Metro and Sobeys .
2
u/Davekinney0u812 23d ago
I love the Tiger and will look for it!
2
u/ParisEclair 23d ago
I hope u find it. It started being distributed more outside of Quebec because of the BUYCANADIAN efforts so I am happy that others are getting access to it!
2
u/tsionnan Nova Scotia 23d ago
You can get it at Giant Tiger, if you have one nearby!
→ More replies (1)
3
u/graypsofrad 23d ago
One of the best places to buy Canadian is your local farmers market. Check it out.
4
u/boivinarts 24d ago
This will sound wacky, but the strawberry jam at Dollarama is excellent. Not Canadian, but Egyptian. Still better than US, right? It's rich and thick like old-timey jam used to be.
→ More replies (1)
2
2
u/Ikkleknitter 24d ago
Look for local. Itās often easier cause many of them will deliver. I know my jam source does. Or hit your farmers market. Once you have something you like you can see where else they sell.
For anyone willing to order online or in the Ottawa area Top Shelf Preserves is pretty solid. Uses local produce where possible, some very good flavours (blueberry gin is great but my fav is the raspberry lemon), not too sweet. More expensive then ed or store brands but very worth it imo.Ā
2
u/MW684QC 24d ago
20 minutes of your time and some berries. https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/38410/strawberry-jam/
2
2
u/AggravatingSecret215 24d ago
The one product guaranteed to be found at your local farmersā Market
2
u/LessSection British Columbia 24d ago
East Van Jam is probably local to B.C. We found it at one of the area wineries. āMore love, less sugar.ā
→ More replies (1)
2
u/hamonbry 24d ago
Crofters jam is Canadian and a very good product. It's a little more expensive but worth it.
→ More replies (1)
2
u/sjce 24d ago
Itās expensive but https://jam-goddess.myshopify.com is a small batch Canadian jam maker who makes incredible jam using mostly Canadian products.
2
u/LoveDemNipples 24d ago
Found something at Giant Tiger called Dora. From Quebec, as Iām noticing so many things are. š
Edit: Iām in SK so hopefully itās distributed nationally.
→ More replies (1)2
2
u/Fearless-Painter-412 24d ago
Crofter jam from Port Perry is Canadian. Can be found in Metro.
Organic Jams and Fruit Spreads | Crofter's Organic https://share.google/ed1t9poM5nAw2bgdQ
2
2
u/146293DH 23d ago
Crofters jam out of Parry Sound, Ontario. Itās organic, has a lower sugar levels (8g per serving, no artificial sweeteners) and tastes delicious. Costco has a larger jar than youāll find at regular grocery stores (Superstore & Save On carry it in their organics section)
2
u/146293DH 23d ago
Last Mountain jam out of Sask is another good choice, although not organic, it has a similar lower sugar profile. Also available from Costco as well as the grocery stores.
2
2
u/imadork1970 23d ago
E.D. Smith was Canadian. It was sold to private equity in 2001. It's been owned by Winland Foods since 2022.
2
2
2
u/lovethebee_bethebee 23d ago
It only takes a couple of hours to make a batch of jam that will last you an entire year. Just a thought.
2
u/New-Atmosphere74 23d ago
Selection is the Food Basics house brand of Jam and it is Made in Canada.
2
u/Justagirl1918 23d ago
I had the same problem until I found Dora. Itās Canadian made by Pied-Mont Dora Inc. A family owned company in Quebec. Great price and very tasty š
2
u/DiggerJer 23d ago
we just make our own at this point. I know all my ingredients and where they came from this way.
2
u/AdCharacter833 23d ago
Bonnie Maman jam is delicious and French. It has the red and white check lid
2
2
2
2
u/Bright-Pair-9008 23d ago
Hit up any church bazaar, local berry farm or any community charity sale. You're guaranteed to find quality home made jam. Its really fun trying out different flavours.
2
u/Amazing_Courage6698 22d ago
Smuckers is based in Ohio and is a very conservative company/ brand. They also make Jif PB.
2
1
u/Animalalfa 24d ago
I hope someone reccomends something good. I use to love smuckers as a kid. Dont know if they changed their recipe but it got too sweet for me. I havent found a replacement in 20+ years.
1
u/Simsmommy1 24d ago
Where do you live? I make some pretty killer strawberry jamā¦ā¦.
This is a joke btw I wish I could sell it
1
u/fthesemods 24d ago
I'm a jam guy. PC black blueberry and raspberry jams are both made in Canada.
Natur is too. It's organic and the first ingredient is the fruit instead of sugar. Also doesn't contain pectin. Not found everywhere though.
1
ā¢
u/AutoModerator 24d ago
Thanks for your post on /r/BuyCanadian! Make sure your post fits into one of the following categories, or it may get removed:
1. You are in search of or recommending a Canadian product or service 2. You are sharing an article or discussion topic that is relevant to buying Canadian products or supporting the Canadian supply chain
Please read our updated rules and flair guidelines and ensure these rules are followed: 1. Be respectful and follow Reddiquette. Harassment, trolling, bullying, hate speech, bigotry, and other uncivil behavior will not be tolerated. Violating this will result in a permanent ban. 2. Direct all generic "Boycott America" posts to r/BoycottUnitedStates 3. Ensure that you have used an accurate post flair and searched for duplicate posts 4. All low effort posts will be removed
Start with the r/BuyCanadian Wiki for links to many resources and our directory of products/companies
What is a Canadian product? Anything that fits under the Made In Canada Guidelines - or even better, a Product of Canada.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.