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By James Oliver Cury | Photography by Kirsten Strecker
Jam
Overall Favorite

Hurley Farms Apricot Jam
The best-tasting jam we sampled came from Sheri Hurley, who decided seven years ago to make preserves with the fruit that fell from the trees on her five-acre property in Napa Valley, California. Today, the family-run company makes 10 different jams; Hurley's dad maintains the orchard, and her 16-year-old daughter helps out in the kitchen. Panelists liked the apricot jam's sweet characteristics— sorbet and dried apricots came to mind. ($4.75 for a 6-ounce jar, hurleyfarms.com, 707-257-3683)

Try it in:
Sticky Spiced-Apricot Meatloaf »

Best Pepper Jelley

The Ole Homestead Five Peppers Pepper Jelly
Our favorite pepper jelly is a blend of green bell peppers, green chile peppers, jalapeños, serranos and habaneros. We liked the balance of sweet, salty and spicy. ($4.50 for a 12-ounce jar, olehomestead.com)

Try it in:
Coconut Shrimp Beignets with Pepper Jelly Sauce »

BEST STRAWBERRY

Zabar's Strawberry Natural Fruit Spread
Cooks at Zabar's, a New York City gourmet grocery, spent years perfecting their formula, and they got it right. Our tasters liked the tartness and the "burst of strawberry flavor." ($6 for a 9.7-ounce jar, zabars.com)

Try it in:
Penny's PB&J Cookies »

BEST BLUEBERRY

Trappist Blueberry Preserve
At St. Joseph's Abbey in Massachusetts, more than 70 monks make 26 kinds of preserves, including this divine blueberry one. We loved that it was packed with real blueberries. ($4.50 for a 12-ounce jar, monasterygreetings.com)

Try it in:
Honey Nut Butter and Jelly »

MOST UNIQUE SWEET

Jill's Jams & Jellies
Dandelion Jelly Most people kill dandelions; Steve and Jill Phillips turn them into jelly. The couple sells 160 spreads; this one tastes, as one tester said, "like flowers dipped in orange." ($4.50 for an 8-ounce jar, jillsjam.com)

Try it in:
The Lure Burger with Caramelized Onion-and-Bacon Jam »

BEST MARMALADE

Welch's Sweet Orange Marmalade
Welch's orange marmalade, made from bits of California orange peel, wowed our tasters. We noted that it tasted slightly chewy and was the most "orangey" of the bunch. ($3 for a 16-ounce jar, welchs.com)

Try it in:
Duck Brest a' l'Orange »

MOST UNIQUE SAVORY

Stonewall Kitchen's Roasted Garlic & Onion Jam
The flavor might sound a bit odd, but it works. Panelists loved the "sweet-tart combo" of sweet onions, roasted garlic and balsamic vinegar. ($7.50 for a 13-ounce jar, stonewallkitchen.com)

Try it in:
Grilled Eggplant Subs with Mozarella and Tomato Jam »


Prices and other details were accurate when we published this article in August 2006.

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