Raspberry jam is a beloved addition to toast, pastries, and desserts, but with so many options on the shelves, finding the perfect balance of taste and value can be tricky. From supermarket own-brands to well-known labels like Hartley's and Bonne Maman, the choices are endless. To settle the debate, a recent taste test compared raspberry jams from Lidl, Aldi, Tesco, Asda, and Marks and Spencer against the branded giants. The results were surprising.
Lidl Seedless Raspberry Jam (89p)
Lidl's seedless jam had a dark colour and an exceptionally jelly-like, dense consistency. The flavour was subtle and less bold than others, which was disappointing for those who prefer a stronger taste. The texture was also too thick for many palates.
Rating: 3/10
Hartley's Seedless Jam (£1.70 from Asda)
Hartley's offered a sweet taste with a sharp edge, but its jelly-like texture was similar to Lidl's. The flavour lacked intensity and had minimal aftertaste, making it a decent choice for those who enjoy a thick, not-too-sweet jam.
Rating: 6/10
Asda Seedless Jam (£1.15)
Asda's jam was easier to spread with a nice texture and a pleasantly sweet taste. It leaned more towards sweetness than tartness and left a pleasant aftertaste.
Rating: 7/10
Tesco Seeded Jam (89p)
Tesco's seeded jam contained the most seeds among the seeded varieties. It was dark and slightly jelly-like, but not overly so. The flavour was sweet without being overwhelmingly sharp.
Rating: 8/10
Bonne Maman (£3.95 from Tesco)
Bonne Maman had a deep colour and little scent, but delivered remarkable depth of flavour with an ideal balance of sweetness and tanginess. It melted on the palate.
Rating: 9/10
Aldi Seedless Jam (89p)
Aldi's jam was lighter in colour and notably runny, with a smooth, melting texture and a great balance of sweetness and tanginess. It was the best seedless jam in the test, surpassing Hartley's.
Rating: 10/10
Marks and Spencer Raspberry Conserve (£2.70)
M&S's conserve delivered a sharp and sweet flavour as promised, with a pleasant tartness and sweetness combination. It had an agreeable texture and was the top seeded jam.
Rating: 10/10
Overall, Aldi and M&S tied for the top spot, each excelling in their respective categories. Aldi's seedless jam offered unbeatable value and taste, while M&S's conserve impressed with its flavour profile. Bonne Maman remained a strong contender, but supermarket own-brands proved they can compete—and even win—against the classics.
