Bonne Maman Preserves: A Guide to Their Fruit Spreads
By English Tea Store Brand Teas | Premium Private Label Blends | Published: 2026-10-19
Category: Buying Guides
Discover the key differences between Bonne Maman apricot, cherry, and fig preserves. This guide helps you choose the right jar for your breakfast or baking needs.
Quick answer
For a versatile everyday spread, go with the apricot preserve. If you want a richer, deeper flavor for cheese boards or baking, choose the fig preserves. The cherry preserve is your best pick for a classic sweet-tart taste on scones or toast.
What sets Bonne Maman apart from other fruit spreads
Bonne Maman uses whole fruit pieces and natural ingredients without artificial flavors or preservatives. Their preserves are cooked in small batches, which helps retain the fruit's texture and taste. The result is a spread that feels more like homemade jam than mass-produced jelly.
All three varieties listed here share a base of sugar, cane sugar, lemon juice, and fruit pectin. The main difference comes from the fruit itself and how it behaves in cooking. Apricots and cherries hold their shape moderately, while figs break down into a smoother, richer preserve.
Size and packaging trade-offs
The apricot preserve is available in a 0.5 oz single-serving packet, ideal for travel, picnics, or portion control. The cherry and fig preserves come in 13 oz glass jars, which are better for home use but heavier to carry. If you only need a taste or want to avoid waste, the packet is a smart choice. For regular breakfasts or baking, the jar gives you more value per ounce.
How to choose the right Bonne Maman preserve
- Apricot preserve: Choose this if you want a bright, slightly tangy fruit spread that works on toast, scones, or as a simple glaze. The packet size is convenient for single use but not economical for frequent use.
- Cherry preserve: Pick cherry when you want a classic jam flavor with visible fruit pieces. It is especially good for baking, layering in yogurt, or pairing with dark chocolate.
- Fig preserves: Select fig for a deeper, honey-like sweetness with less acidity. It excels on cheese boards, with brie or goat cheese, and as a savory-sweet addition to pork or chicken dishes. If you are unsure, start with the apricot packet to test the brand's style before committing to a full jar.
Product details at a glance
- Bonne Maman Packets - Apricot Preserve - .5oz (14.17g): Bonne Maman Apricot Preserve comes in a 0.5 oz single-serving packet made with apricots, sugar, brown cane sugar, lemon juice, and fruit pectin. The small packet is perfect for sampling or taking on the go, but you will need multiple packets for a full jar's worth of spread.
Bonne Maman Packets - Apricot Preserve - .5oz (14.17g) - Bonne Maman Cherry Preserve - 13oz (368g): Bonne Maman Cherry Preserve is a 13 oz jar made with cherries, sugar, brown cane sugar, lemon juice, and fruit pectin. The cherry preserve offers a classic sweet-tart flavor that pairs especially well with scones or as a filling for pastries.
Bonne Maman Cherry Preserve - 13oz (368g) - Bonne Maman Fig Preserves - 13oz (368g): Bonne Maman Fig Preserves is a 13 oz jar made with white figs, sugar, cane sugar, lemon juice, and fruit pectin, noted for its smooth and sweet flavor. Fig preserves have a richer, less acidic taste that works beautifully with soft cheeses or as a glaze for roasted meats.
Which preserve fits your needs?
Best for
- Home bakers who need a reliable fruit filling for pastries or thumbprint cookies
- Breakfast lovers who want a natural-tasting spread without artificial ingredients
- Gourmet gift givers looking for a classic French-style preserve in a recognizable jar
Not for
- Anyone who prefers seedless jams or jelly-like spreads without visible fruit pieces
- Budget shoppers who need the lowest price per ounce (the 13 oz jars cost more upfront than basic store brands)
