What is Cactus Sangria Jelly like?
This is a playful, fruit-forward jelly with a Southwestern personality and a sangria-inspired flavor profile—an easy choice when you want something more unexpected than a traditional fruit jelly.
How should I serve Cactus Sangria Jelly on a cheese board?
Pair it with a creamy, mild cheese so its bright fruit character and rich color can shine. It is also an eye-catching addition to a Texas-themed charcuterie spread.
Can Cactus Sangria Jelly be used for entertaining beyond cheese boards?
Absolutely! Serve it as a dipping sauce for cocktail meatballs or just enjoy it on toast or a warm muffin at any time of the day.
What is the difference between jam, jelly, preserves, and fruit butter?
Our jams are made with a high density of fruits that are simmered with sugar, then gently puréed into a smooth, thick texture, with some small pieces of fruit. Preserves are made with whole or larger pieces of fruit, suspended in a rich syrup. Jellies are made primarily with fruit juice to make a smooth, light and refreshing taste, and we often suspend juicy morsels of fruit and peppers inside to make them extra delicious. Butters are cooked down and puréed until very smooth and concentrated; despite the name, they contain no dairy butter.
Which jams are your best-sellers?
Our jams and jellies have a very loyal following! In order, our best sellers are: Jalapeño Jelly, Fredericksburg Peach Jam, Brazos River Blackberry Jam, Texas Red Plum Jam, Strawberry Almond Jam, Lemon Fig Jam, Old Austin Apricot Jam, Peach Amaretto & Pecan Jam, Natural Strawberry Jam, East Texas Blueberry Jam, Pineapple Jalapeño Jelly, Cherry Preserves, Raspberry Jam.
What jam should I put on a cheese or charcuterie board?
Our jams make perfect partners for cheese and charcuterie, and we have a host of wonderful flavor combinations to share. Check out our Cheese and Charcuterie pairings page for our top tips! Some highlights are Old Austin Apricot Jam with nutty parmesan, Lemon Fig with goat cheese and prosciutto, and Raspberry Jalapeño Jam with brie and ham.
How much fruit is in your jams?
We put a lot of fruit in every jam we make: by volume, far more than sugar. For example, in our Fredericksburg Peach jam we have 1.3 cups of juicy peaches in every jar; for our Country Apple Butter we simmer 1/2 lb of apples per jar. Our Strawberry Almond Jam has a cup of strawberries and our East Texas Blueberry Jam almost a cup of blueberries. Sugar is often listed first on our labels as it is a very heavy ingredient, but in terms of the amount of ingredients, we will always put as much fruit in as we can!
Do you have any jams with no added sugar?
Yes. New Canaan Farms makes Natural Peach and Natural Strawberry Jam, which have no added sugar and are sweetened with fruit juice. For current ingredients, nutrition, and dietary information, check the individual product page or jar label.
What are the main ingredients in your jams?
Fruit, sugar, citrus pectin and citric acid are the main ingredients for our classic jams. When we have additional flavors there are more ingredients, and we aim to use fresh produce as much as we can. For example, we flavor our fig jam with a fresh slice of lemon to create Lemon Fig Jam, we use fresh serrano peppers for our Cranberry Pepper Jam, and fresh jalapeños for Raspberry Jalapeño Jam.
How long do unopened jams and jellies last?
Most of our jams have a shelf life of two years, unopened. Our Natural Strawberry and Peach jams, and our Pecan Honey Crème, have an unopened shelf life of 12 months. Once opened, store in the refrigerator and consume within 3 months (this should be easy to do!)
Do jams and jellies need to be refrigerated after opening?
Yes. Once opened, refrigerate jarred jams and jellies and follow the storage directions on the label.
Can I keep an unopened jar in the pantry?
Yes. Unopened shelf-stable jars can be kept in the pantry or another cool, dry place until opening, subject to the best-by information on the jar.
Are your jams and jellies gluten-free?
All of our jams are gluten free and vegan, as are the majority of our products. We focus on making our products with whole foods, and minimize artificial preservatives. For specific product ingredients and nutrition facts, please check the relevant product page.
Are New Canaan Farms jams made in a nut-free facility?
No. We use pecans and almonds in some products, so our facility is not nut-free. Our kettles and cooking equipment are thoroughly steam-cleaned and sanitized between cooks to avoid any cross-contamination, but anyone with an allergy should check the label and make decisions appropriate to their needs.
