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Bonne Maman: the buyer's guide
Bonne Maman's gingham lid and handwritten label are the most recognisable thing in the French jam aisle, and the reason is simple: fruit, sugar, lemon juice and pectin, nothing else, in a jar people keep. Here is which flavours are worth it and what else the brand makes.
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What the brand is known for
Preserves with a high fruit content (around 50 per cent) and a short ingredient list, made by Andros in Biars-sur-Cère in the Lot. The brand began in 1971 and the packaging has barely changed: the red-and-white gingham lid, the cursive label, and the faceted jar that is a standard canning size and gets reused in French kitchens for decades.
The preserves worth buying
Strawberry and apricot are the classics and the best-sellers for a reason. Four Fruits (strawberry, cherry, redcurrant, raspberry) is the one for toast every morning. Wild Blueberry and Raspberry are excellent on yoghurt. The Intense line has less sugar and more fruit and is the one to buy if you find the standard preserves too sweet. The orange marmalade is good but not better than a British one.
Jellies, compotes and spreads
Bonne Maman also sells jellies (redcurrant jelly is the classic partner to lamb and game), fruit compotes in small jars (unsweetened, good for children), and a chestnut spread (crème de marrons) that belongs in a crêpe. The caramel spread is a newer addition and very good.
The biscuits and the Advent calendar
Bonne Maman's madeleines, tartelettes (shortbread with a jam centre) and galettes are sold in the US in boxes and are a reliable afternoon biscuit; the raspberry tartelettes are the ones to try first. The Advent calendar of mini jars sells out every November and is the easiest French gift there is.
The jars
The 13 oz jar holds a standard American cup measure almost exactly, takes a regular canning lid, and stacks. This is why French kitchens are full of them: they become drinking glasses, spice jars, vinaigrette shakers and lunch-box containers. Buy preserves, keep the jars.
What to buy
| Product | Why |
|---|---|
| Strawberry Preserves 13 oz | The classic. |
| Apricot Preserves 13 oz | The other classic; also a glaze for tarts. |
| Four Fruits Preserves | Everyday toast jam. |
| Intense Raspberry Fruit Spread | Less sugar, more fruit. |
| Raspberry Tartelettes | Shortbread with a jam centre. |
| Advent Calendar | Mini jars; sells out early. |
Questions people ask
Is Bonne Maman sold in the US the same as in France?
Yes, it is imported from France and the recipe is the same; the US label is just translated.
Why is it called Bonne Maman?
'Good mother' or 'granny'; the whole look is designed to read as homemade. It is made in a factory, but a careful one.
Is it suitable for vegetarians?
Yes. The pectin is fruit-derived; there is no gelatine.
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