Jam vs. Marmalade: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Jam is made from crushed fruit and sugar, while marmalade is a citrus-based preserve with fruit peel.
Key Differences
Jam is a sweet spread made by cooking crushed or chopped fruits with sugar until it reaches a thick consistency. Marmalade, on the other hand, specifically refers to a citrus-based preserve, typically made from oranges, lemons, limes, or grapefruits, and includes pieces of the fruit peel, giving it a distinctive bitter edge.
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Nov 16, 2023
The texture of jam is generally softer and more pulpy because it is made from the whole fruit, including the flesh. Marmalade’s texture is slightly chewier and more robust due to the inclusion of citrus peels, which also lends it a slightly bitter undertone.
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Nov 16, 2023
Jam is versatile, used in a variety of sweet dishes, and pairs well with a range of ingredients. Marmalade, with its unique combination of sweet and bitter flavors, is often favored for breakfast spreads and is also used in savory dishes, adding a zesty flavor.
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Nov 16, 2023
The sugar content in jam primarily comes from the natural fructose in the fruit and added sugar. Marmalade also contains sugar, but its taste is more complex due to the natural bitterness of the citrus peel.
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Nov 16, 2023
Jam is available in a myriad of fruit flavors, from strawberry to raspberry to apricot. Marmalade, while traditionally made with Seville oranges, can also be found in variations using other citrus fruits, but always retains its characteristic bitter-sweet profile.
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Nov 16, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Base Ingredients
Made from a variety of fruits
Primarily made from citrus fruits
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Jam and Marmalade Definitions
Jam
A fruit preserve made from crushed or chopped fruit and sugar.
She spread raspberry jam on her toast.
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Nov 16, 2023
Marmalade
A fruit preserve made from the juice and peel of citrus fruits, boiled with sugar and water.
He had toast with orange marmalade for breakfast.
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Nov 16, 2023
Jam
To squeeze or pack tightly into a specified space.
He jammed his clothes into the suitcase.
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Nov 16, 2023
Marmalade
Used metaphorically to describe a bittersweet experience.
Their reunion was a marmalade of joy and sadness.
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Nov 16, 2023
Jam
To drive or wedge forcibly into a tight position
Jammed the cork in the bottle.
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Oct 19, 2023
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Marmalade
A sweet and tangy spread used in various culinary dishes.
She glazed the chicken with marmalade.
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Nov 16, 2023
Jam
To activate or apply (a brake) suddenly. Often used with on
Jammed the brakes on.
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Oct 19, 2023
Marmalade
A component in sauces or marinades for a tangy flavor.
The marmalade added a citrusy zest to the sauce.
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Nov 16, 2023
Jam
To cause to become unworkable because a part is stuck
The wrinkled paper jammed the copying machine.
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Oct 19, 2023
Marmalade
A clear, jellylike preserve made from the pulp and rind of fruits, especially citrus fruits.
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Oct 19, 2023
Jam
To cause (moving parts, for example) to lock into an unworkable position
Jammed the typewriter keys.
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Oct 19, 2023
Marmalade
A kind of jam made with citrus fruit, distinguished by being made slightly bitter by the addition of the peel and by partial caramelisation during manufacture. Most commonly made with Seville oranges, and usually qualified by the name of the fruit when made with other types of fruit.
Lime marmalade
Thick cut marmalade
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Oct 19, 2023
Jam
To pack (items, for example) to excess; cram
Jammed my clothes into the suitcase.
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Oct 19, 2023
Jam
To fill (a container or space) to overflowing
I jammed the suitcase with clothes. Fans jammed the hallway after the concert.
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Oct 19, 2023
Marmalade
A preserve or confection made of the pulp of fruit, as the quince, pear, apple, orange, etc., boiled with sugar, and brought to a jamlike consistency.
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Oct 19, 2023
Jam
(Electronics) To interfere with or prevent the clear reception of (broadcast signals) by electronic means.
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Oct 19, 2023
Jam
(Baseball) To throw an inside pitch to (a batter), especially to prevent the batter from hitting the ball with the thicker part of the bat.
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Oct 19, 2023
Marmalade
An element in confectioneries and desserts.
The cake was filled with lemon marmalade.
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Nov 16, 2023
Jam
To become locked or stuck in an unworkable position
The computer keyboard jammed.
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Oct 19, 2023
Jam
To force one's way into or through a limited space
We all jammed into the elevator.
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Oct 19, 2023
Jam
A crush or congestion of people or things in a limited space
A traffic jam.
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Oct 19, 2023
Jam
A sweet mixture of fruit boiled with sugar and allowed to congeal. Often spread on bread or toast or used in jam tarts.
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Oct 19, 2023
Jam
(countable) A blockage, congestion, or immobilization.
A traffic jam caused us to miss the game's first period.
A jam of logs in a river
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Jam
An informal event where people brainstorm and collaborate on projects.
We came up with some new ideas at the game jam.
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Oct 19, 2023
Jam
That which one particularly prefers, desires, enjoys, or cares about.
Teaching is my jam.
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Oct 19, 2023
Jam
A difficult situation for a pitcher or defending team.
The pitcher's in a jam now, having walked the bases loaded with the cleanup hitter coming to bat.
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Oct 19, 2023
Jam
A play during which points can be scored.
Toughie scored four points in that jam.
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Oct 19, 2023
Jam
Any of several maneuvers requiring wedging of an extremity into a tight space.
I used a whole series of fist and foot jams in that crack.
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Oct 19, 2023
Jam
To get something stuck, often (though not necessarily) in a confined space.
My foot got jammed in a gap between the rocks.
Her poor little baby toe got jammed in the door.
I jammed the top knuckle of my ring finger.
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Oct 19, 2023
Jam
To brusquely force something into a space; to cram, to squeeze.
They temporarily stopped the gas tank leak by jamming a piece of taffy into the hole.
The rush-hour train was jammed with commuters.
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Oct 19, 2023
Jam
To cause congestion or blockage. Often used with "up".
A single accident can jam the roads for hours.
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Oct 19, 2023
Jam
To block or confuse a radio or radar signal by transmitting a more-powerful signal on the same frequency.
The government jams foreign propaganda broadcasts.
The airstrike suffered minimal casualties because electronic-warfare aircraft were jamming the enemy air-defense radars.
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Oct 19, 2023
Jam
(baseball) To throw a pitch at or near the batter's hands.
Jones was jammed by the pitch.
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Oct 19, 2023
Jam
(music) To play music (especially improvisation as a group, or an informal unrehearsed session).
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Oct 19, 2023
Jam
To injure a finger or toe by sudden compression of the digit's tip.
When he tripped on the step he jammed his toe.
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Oct 19, 2023
Jam
(roller derby) To attempt to score points.
Toughie jammed four times in the second period.
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Oct 19, 2023
Jam
To bring (a vessel) so close to the wind that half her upper sails are laid aback.
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Oct 19, 2023
Jam
To give up on a date or some other joint endeavour; to stand up, chicken out, jam out.
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Oct 19, 2023
Jam
A mass of people or objects crowded together; also, the pressure from a crowd; a crush; as, a jam in a street; a jam of logs in a river.
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Oct 19, 2023
Jam
A preserve of fruit boiled with sugar and water; also called jelly; as, raspberry jam; currant jam; grape jam.
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Oct 19, 2023
Jam
To press into a close or tight position; to crowd; to squeeze; to wedge in; to cram; as, rock fans jammed the theater for the concert.
The ship . . . jammed in between two rocks.
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Oct 19, 2023
Jam
To bring (a vessel) so close to the wind that half her upper sails are laid aback.
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Oct 19, 2023
Jam
To block or obstruct by packing too much (people or objects) into; as, shoppers jammed the aisles during the fire sale.
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Oct 19, 2023
Jam
To interfere with (a radio signal) by sending other signals of the same or nearby frequency; as, the Soviets jammed Radio Free Europe broadcasts for years during the cold war.
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Oct 19, 2023
Jam
To cause to become nonfunctional by putting something in that blocks the movement of a part or parts; as, he jammed the drawer by putting in too many loose papers; he jammed the lock by trying to pick it.
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Oct 19, 2023
Jam
To crowd together; - usually used with together or in; as, fifty people jammed into a conference room designed for twenty.
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Oct 19, 2023
Jam
Informal terms for a difficult situation;
He got into a terrible fix
He made a muddle of his marriage
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Jam
Deliberate radiation or reflection of electromagnetic energy for the purpose of disrupting enemy use of electronic devices or systems
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Oct 19, 2023
Jam
Interfere with or prevent the reception of signals;
Jam the Voice of America
Block the signals emitted by this station
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Oct 19, 2023
Jam
A situation of being stuck or unable to progress.
The traffic jam made us late.
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Nov 16, 2023
Jam
An informal gathering of musicians playing improvised music.
They enjoyed a late-night jazz jam.
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Nov 16, 2023
Jam
To forcefully push or thrust something.
She jammed the key into the lock.
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Nov 16, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Is marmalade only made from oranges?
While traditionally made from Seville oranges, marmalade can also be made from other citrus fruits.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 16, 2023
Why does marmalade have a bitter taste?
The bitterness comes from the citrus peel used in its preparation.
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Nov 16, 2023
Is jam healthier than marmalade?
Healthiness depends on the sugar content and fruit used; both can be high in sugar.
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Nov 16, 2023
What is jam made from?
Jam is made from crushed or chopped fruit mixed with sugar and pectin.
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Nov 16, 2023
Can jam be made from any fruit?
Yes, jam can be made from almost any fruit.
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Nov 16, 2023
Can diabetics consume jam or marmalade?
Diabetics should opt for sugar-free or low-sugar varieties.
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Nov 16, 2023
Is marmalade used in cooking?
Yes, it's used in both sweet and savory dishes for its zesty flavor.
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Nov 16, 2023
What's the difference between jam and jelly?
Jelly is made from fruit juice, while jam is made from crushed fruit.
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Nov 16, 2023
Why do jams and marmalades have a long shelf life?
High sugar content acts as a preservative.
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Nov 16, 2023
How long does homemade jam last?
Properly canned and stored, it can last up to a year.
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Nov 16, 2023
Can marmalade be made without peel?
No, the peel is essential for its distinctive flavor and texture.
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Nov 16, 2023
What makes jam set or thicken?
Pectin in the fruit and added sugar helps it set.
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Nov 16, 2023
Can jam be made sugar-free?
Yes, by using sugar substitutes or naturally sweet fruits.
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Nov 16, 2023
Is marmalade always citrus-based?
Yes, marmalade is defined by its citrus content.
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Nov 16, 2023
Can jam be frozen for longer storage?
Yes, freezing jam can extend its shelf life.
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Nov 16, 2023
Can jams be used as cake fillings?
Yes, they're commonly used in cakes and pastries.
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Nov 16, 2023
Is marmalade suitable for vegans?
Yes, unless it contains honey or other non-vegan additives.
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Nov 16, 2023
Is marmalade more popular in certain regions?
It's particularly popular in the UK and Europe.
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Nov 16, 2023
Why is marmalade often eaten at breakfast?
Its tangy flavor is considered refreshing in the morning.
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Nov 16, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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