Jam vs. Marmalade — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 5, 2023
Jam is made from crushed fruit and sugar, while marmalade is made from citrus fruit peel, juice, and sugar.
Difference Between Jam and Marmalade
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Jam is a sweet spread typically made from a mixture of crushed fruit and sugar. Marmalade, on the other hand, is derived mainly from citrus fruits and contains both the flesh and the peel. Jam's consistency can vary, but its primary distinction lies in the use of the whole fruit, resulting in a smoother texture. Marmalade has a slightly chunkier texture due to the inclusion of citrus peel, giving it a tangy flavor.
In the making of jam, various fruits like strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries can be used. Marmalade, in its traditional form, uses fruits like oranges, lemons, or grapefruits. Both jams and marmalades can be used as spreads on toast or as fillings in pastries. However, the presence of citrus peel in marmalade gives it a unique bitter-sweet taste, which sets it apart from the usually sweeter jams.
One thing both jam and marmalade have in common is their preservation process. Both are made by boiling fruit with sugar, which acts as a preservative. Yet, while jam focuses on preserving the flavor and texture of the fruit, marmalade is more about celebrating the entire citrus fruit, peel and all. In the end, the choice between jam and marmalade boils down to personal preference. Some prefer the sweet and fruity taste of jam, while others lean towards the tangy and zesty flavor of marmalade.
Comparison Chart
Base Ingredient
Crushed fruits
Citrus fruit peel and juice
Texture
Typically smoother
Chunkier due to citrus peel
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Flavor
Sweet, fruit-focused
Bitter-sweet due to citrus rind
Common Fruit Examples
Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries
Oranges, lemons, grapefruits
Use in Cooking
Fillings, toppings, glazes
Spreads, glazes, paired with meats
Compare with Definitions
Jam
A blockage or congestion of movement.
There was a traffic jam on the freeway.
Marmalade
A sweet, tangy condiment used in cooking.
I used marmalade as a glaze for my roasted duck.
Jam
An informal gathering of musicians playing together.
The band had a late-night jam session.
Marmalade
A citrus-based dessert spread.
This cake has a layer of marmalade in the middle.
Jam
A difficult situation or predicament.
I found myself in a jam when I forgot my passport.
Marmalade
A term of endearment.
Good morning, marmalade, he said with a smile.
Jam
To drive or wedge forcibly into a tight position
Jammed the cork in the bottle.
Marmalade
A preserve made from citrus fruit, especially oranges, and sugar.
I love orange marmalade on my morning toast.
Jam
To activate or apply (a brake) suddenly. Often used with on
Jammed the brakes on.
Marmalade
Marmalade is a fruit preserve made from the juice and peel of citrus fruits boiled with sugar and water. The well-known version is made from bitter orange, but it is also made from lemons, limes, grapefruits, mandarins, sweet oranges, bergamots, and other citrus fruits, or a combination.
Jam
To cause to become unworkable because a part is stuck
The wrinkled paper jammed the copying machine.
Marmalade
A clear, jellylike preserve made from the pulp and rind of fruits, especially citrus fruits.
Jam
To cause (moving parts, for example) to lock into an unworkable position
Jammed the typewriter keys.
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
Jam
To pack (items, for example) to excess; cram
Jammed my clothes into the suitcase.
Marmalade
Ellipsis of orange marmalade
Jam
To fill (a container or space) to overflowing
I jammed the suitcase with clothes. Fans jammed the hallway after the concert.
Marmalade
(obsolete) quince jam
Jam
To block, congest, or clog
A drain that was jammed by debris.
Marmalade
(transitive) To spread marmalade on.
Jam
To crush or bruise
Jam a finger.
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.
Jam
(Electronics) To interfere with or prevent the clear reception of (broadcast signals) by electronic means.
Marmalade
A preserve made of the pulp and rind of citrus fruits
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.
Marmalade
A clear, jelly-like spread containing pieces of citrus fruit peel.
The marmalade had chunks of lemon peel in it.
Jam
To become wedged or stuck
The coin jammed in the slot.
Jam
To become locked or stuck in an unworkable position
The computer keyboard jammed.
Jam
To force one's way into or through a limited space
We all jammed into the elevator.
Jam
(Music) To participate in a jam session.
Jam
(Basketball) To make a dunk shot.
Jam
The act of jamming or the condition of being jammed.
Jam
A crush or congestion of people or things in a limited space
A traffic jam.
Jam
A trying situation.
Jam
See jam session.
Jam
A preserve made from whole fruit boiled to a pulp with sugar.
Jam
A sweet mixture of fruit boiled with sugar and allowed to congeal. Often spread on bread or toast or used in jam tarts.
Jam
(countable) A difficult situation.
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
Jam
An informal, impromptu performance or rehearsal.
Jam
A song; a track.
Jam
An informal event where people brainstorm and collaborate on projects.
We came up with some new ideas at the game jam.
Jam
That which one particularly prefers, desires, enjoys, or cares about.
Teaching is my jam.
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.
Jam
A forceful dunk.
Jam
A play during which points can be scored.
Toughie scored four points in that jam.
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.
Jam
(AU) The tree Acacia acuminata, with fruity-smelling hard timber.
Jam
Luck.
He's got more jam than Waitrose.
Jam
Balls, bollocks, courage, machismo
I don't think he has the jam.
Jam
(slang) Sexual relations or the contemplation of them.
Jam
(dated) A kind of frock for children.
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.
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.
Jam
To render something unable to move.
Jam
To cause congestion or blockage. Often used with "up".
A single accident can jam the roads for hours.
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.
Jam
(baseball) To throw a pitch at or near the batter's hands.
Jones was jammed by the pitch.
Jam
(basketball) To dunk.
Jam
(music) To play music (especially improvisation as a group, or an informal unrehearsed session).
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.
Jam
(roller derby) To attempt to score points.
Toughie jammed four times in the second period.
Jam
To bring (a vessel) so close to the wind that half her upper sails are laid aback.
Jam
To give up on a date or some other joint endeavour; to stand up, chicken out, jam out.
Jam
A kind of frock for children.
Jam
See Jamb.
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.
Jam
An injury caused by jamming.
Jam
A difficult situation; as, he got himself into a jam.
Jam
A preserve of fruit boiled with sugar and water; also called jelly; as, raspberry jam; currant jam; grape jam.
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.
Jam
To crush or bruise; as, to jam a finger in the crack of a door.
Jam
To bring (a vessel) so close to the wind that half her upper sails are laid aback.
Jam
To block or obstruct by packing too much (people or objects) into; as, shoppers jammed the aisles during the fire sale.
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.
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.
Jam
To become stuck so as not to function; as, the copier jammed again.
Jam
To play an instrument in a jam session.
Jam
To crowd together; - usually used with together or in; as, fifty people jammed into a conference room designed for twenty.
Jam
Preserve of crushed fruit
Jam
Informal terms for a difficult situation;
He got into a terrible fix
He made a muddle of his marriage
Jam
A dense crowd of people
Jam
Deliberate radiation or reflection of electromagnetic energy for the purpose of disrupting enemy use of electronic devices or systems
Jam
Press tightly together or cram;
The crowd packed the auditorium
Jam
Push down forcibly;
The driver jammed the brake pedal to the floor
Jam
Crush or bruise;
Jam a toe
Jam
Interfere with or prevent the reception of signals;
Jam the Voice of America
Block the signals emitted by this station
Jam
Get stuck and immobilized;
The mechanism jammed
Jam
Crowd or pack to capacity;
The theater was jampacked
Jam
Block passage through;
Obstruct the path
Jam
A spread made from crushed fruit and sugar.
I spread strawberry jam on my toast.
Jam
To push something forcibly.
He jammed the door shut.
Common Curiosities
What is jam primarily made of?
Jam is made primarily from crushed fruit and sugar.
Which one has citrus peel, jam or marmalade?
Marmalade contains citrus peel.
Are jams typically sweeter than marmalades?
Yes, jams are typically sweeter, while marmalades have a bitter-sweet taste.
Can you make marmalade from non-citrus fruits?
Traditional marmalade is citrus-based, but there are variations with non-citrus fruits.
What fruits are commonly used for jams?
Fruits like strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries are commonly used for jams.
What's a primary fruit for marmalade?
Oranges are a primary fruit used in traditional marmalade.
How are both jam and marmalade preserved?
Both are preserved by boiling fruit with sugar.
Can I use jam as a glaze for cooking?
Yes, jam can be used as a glaze, topping, or filling in cooking.
Is jam's texture smoother than marmalade?
Yes, jam usually has a smoother texture, while marmalade is chunkier.
Is there a difference in the cooking process between jam and marmalade?
The base process is similar, but marmalade requires preparing and incorporating citrus peel.
Which has a longer shelf life, jam or marmalade?
Both have similar shelf lives when stored properly, but this can vary based on ingredients and preservatives used.
Are there any jams made without sugar?
Yes, there are sugar-free or reduced-sugar jam variants available.
Can marmalade be used in desserts?
Yes, marmalade can be used in desserts, such as in cakes or pastries.
Is marmalade good with meats?
Yes, marmalade can be paired with meats, especially as a glaze.
Can I make jam or marmalade at home?
Yes, both jam and marmalade can be made at home with the right ingredients and recipe.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
