When I think of jams and jellies, the first flavor that comes to mind for me is grape.
Grape jelly is a classic – it never fails to taste delicious when spread in between two pieces of white bread alongside some smooth peanut butter to make the all time great sandwich, the PB&J.
But just because PB&Js are so popular, does that mean that grape jelly is the most popular fruit preserve in America?
Some other contenders for me are strawberry jam and orange marmalade. These little pre-portioned jellies are a staple on diner tables here in New Jersey.
While I don’t really like grape jelly that much, I started this research assuming it would end up being the most popular flavor in America.
However, I was shocked to find out that it’s not. According to Statista.com, the most popular flavor is actually strawberry, with grape coming in second place!
This data was calculated by Statista with a survey time period of 2011 to 2019 based on “the U.S. Census data and Simmons National Consumer Survey (NHCS).” They found that 163.97 million Americans consumed strawberry preserves in 2019 — that’s a lot of people, and a lot of jam & jelly! (x)
Statista won my English major heart by (sorta) quoting Shakespeare: “Strawberry jam or no strawberry jam, that is the question.” (x)
Check out this great quote from Statista, which I can’t help but copy and paste in nearly its entirety:
“U.S. households eat mostly strawberry jams, jellies, and preserves, followed by grape flavored ones. But what makes them choose these flavors over raspberry, blackberry, apricot, blueberry, or cherry jam? It is that consumers really prefer strawberry jam, or is it because strawberry and grape jams are dominant on most grocery store shelves? Does it have to do with color or taste? Or maybe people just like strawberries. It might be possible that most strawberries which are cultivated each year end up as jams, jellies and preserves.
Or maybe preference has more to do with the brand and their marketing of strawberry jam, which makes it more appealing to consumers than other types. … it is also very likely that consumer preferences are influenced by advertising.”
https://www.statista.com/statistics/280744/us-households-most-eaten-flavors-of-jams-jellies-and-preserves-trend/
Interestingly, according to fsrmagazine.com, it looks like Statista listed grape as the most popular back in 2017. (x) Does this mean that within the last three years, strawberry beat out grape? What changed in the last three years that made strawberry spike in popularity?
Well, according to tastewise.io, the consumption rate of strawberries is growing at a rate of 42.87% annually. (x)
To clarify, popularity doesn’t equate to quality – what jelly and jam we each individually like best has to do with our own personal preferences, and doesn’t coincide with popularity. While strawberry is currently more popular than grape, that doesn’t necessarily mean strawberry is “better” than grape. I mean, to me it is. But I don’t like grape jelly, lol.
Sources and Further Reading:
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/280744/us-households-most-eaten-flavors-of-jams-jellies-and-preserves-trend/
- https://www.fsrmagazine.com/sponsored/what-best-jelly-flavor
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/278148/us-households-most-eaten-types-of-jams-jellies-and-preserves/
Much love,
Melissa
Meli Loves Jelly 