From supermarket own-label options to well-known household names, shoppers face a vast array of choices when selecting raspberry jam. Whether you prefer the classic seeded version, smooth seedless spreads, or premium conserves, the options are plentiful. Striking the perfect balance between great flavour and a reasonable price can be challenging. Hartley's and Bonne Maman are popular choices in stores, but they often cost significantly more than supermarket alternatives.
After previously sorting strawberry jam, Mia O'Hare decided to test whether raspberry versions from Lidl, Aldi, Tesco, Asda, and Marks & Spencer could compete with the market leaders. The results were surprising.
Lidl
Lidl's seedless raspberry jam costs 89p. The jar had a much darker colour than other spreads, but the jelly-like texture was far too thick. Unfortunately, the flavour was very weak, earning a low score of 3 out of 10.
Hartley's
Hartley's, priced at £1.70 from Asda, offers a sweet flavour with a very mild tang. The texture was slightly too thick and jelly-like, lacking a strong aftertaste. It scored a reasonable 6 out of 10 for those who enjoy thick spreads.
Asda
Asda's seedless option costs £1.15 and proved much easier to spread than the first two jars. It was thick with a lovely sweetness that lingered nicely, earning a solid 7 out of 10.
Tesco
Tesco's version costs 89p and was packed with plenty of seeds throughout the jar. It was dark and slightly jelly-like, delivering a great sweet flavour that achieved a score of 8 out of 10.
Bonne Maman
Bonne Maman costs £3.95 and had a very deep colour without much of a noticeable smell. However, the premium jar delivered an excellent balance of sweetness and tartness, scoring an impressive 9 out of 10.
Aldi
Aldi's seedless option costs 89p and was much lighter in colour with a slightly thinner consistency. It had a wonderful melting texture and a perfectly balanced flavour, making it the top seedless choice with a perfect 10 out of 10.
Marks & Spencer
The raspberry conserve from Marks & Spencer, priced at £2.70, promises a sharp and sweet taste, which it certainly delivers. The sharpness of the jam paired beautifully with the sweetness of the raspberry. It had a very pleasant consistency and ranked as the best-seeded jam. At £2.70, it is one of the priciest options, but it scored 10 out of 10, proving the premium price comes with premium taste.
