When Lady Magnon bottles her annual supply of Apricot and Strawberry jams, invariably she uses old 'Bonne Maman' pots; I'm sure you know the ones, they have gingham tops (see below).
However, before Bonne Maman cornered the commercial jam market, people used purpose-made jam pots, which were coveted, and used year after year.
In my more esoteric days, I used to buy antique jam pots. I liked the idea of such things having held home-made jams over several generations. I seriously considered the age and aesthetics of such objects could only improve the quality of the contents, and in a way I think I was right.
I used to have quite a lot of them. No doubt they are still around somewhere, but gawd knows where!
Anyway, here are our current Bonne Maman pots.They're not a patch on the old ones which are very chunky and heavy; they had real jam kudos about them.
Still looks good - Lady M. has been busy.
ReplyDeleteShe usually makes enough to last through to the following year.
DeleteI see the Tayberry jam came in for some label praise.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid they were mine. I made Tayberry Jam for my grandsons, and it encourages them to eat it.
DeleteThose Bonne Naman jars really are aesthetically pleasing. I have a few too. Must be very satisfying seeing all those jars, full, on the shelf
ReplyDeleteWe never need to buy Jam!
DeleteI recognise the jars, and lots of work there! Homemade jam is the best; you can reduce and dose the sugar contents at your choice.
ReplyDeleteGreetings Maria x
We always do. I'm diabetic so the less the better (actually I very rarely eat jam).
DeleteBon Maman jars are definitely the best and I love the gingham lids, which come in lots of different colours, I have red, blue, pink, purple, green and brown so far.
ReplyDeleteI have also collected a few of the old, heavy jars. They make great pencil pots, candle holders and coleslaw serving dishes, amongst other things, but it is, as you say, their age and history that make them so appealing.
We seem to have given up using the old antique jars. Now Bonne Maman rules!
DeleteA friend gave me some home made apricot jam in just such a pot last week! (I must remember to return the pot )
ReplyDeleteA cup of coffee, a good butter croissant, and some home made apricot jam; heaven.
DeleteWe only use jam/marmalade when entertaining breakfasting guests. But the Bonne Maman, in four sizes, have been de-labled and the lids re-painted for storage jars. As have the little glass fruit juice bottles for the spices. There is a lot of colour co-ordination going on in our kitchen!
ReplyDeleteI never eat it; unless forced to!
DeleteThat is a lot of jam to get through.
ReplyDeleteLady M has jam for breakfast (with Peanut butter), jam for lunch whilst I'm not looking, and jam after supper when I've gone to bed. She needs a LOT.
DeleteI like the way that some French mustard pots with a plastic lid were made to be used as every day wine glasses when empty, even though I only ever use Georgian glasses these days.
ReplyDeleteWe used to use them ourselves (for the children). Now they go to be recycled.
DeleteI've only made one and a half jars of raspberry jam this year - yes, the growing year has been that bad. Seriously considering decluttering my jam jar cupboad, my favourites are the very old Rose's marmalade jars.
ReplyDeleteDidn't Rose's make some type of Lime Marmalade? I seem to remember it was very good.
DeleteIs all that jam consumed in a year? I have not bottled food in years because we never consumed them all. I guess I never knew when enough was enough.
ReplyDeleteLady M loves her jam. I am not a jam eater; only very occasionally. There is never enough.
DeleteThink the special jam pots are lovely. The closest one would come in the States are Ball jars, they have metal rings to screw the lids on and each year you just buy new lids to seal them with. More for preserving than jams.
ReplyDeleteI use something similar for my paté, and vegetable preserves. The jars last for ever, the tops need changing every year. Ours are called Le Parfait.
DeleteThere's a dog on your table! Top left on the photo.
ReplyDeleteBok must have been lying there, and left an impression. I'd never noticed it before.
Deletethey are the best..but here they have started selling them with plastic lids...nooooo!
ReplyDeleteIs nothing sacred?
DeleteI think they have stopped the gingham tops here too. It is the only kind of jam I ever buy.
ReplyDeleteThey'll have some serious negotiations to do after Brexit; unless it's made in the UK, of course.
DeleteBonne Maman are the most stylish jam pots although we do have a couple of other styles to choose from among other bought jams.
ReplyDeleteAlphie
Alphie
I'm sure it was the gingham tops that made their fortune. The jam's good too.
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