Sultanbacı Strawberry Jam – 380 g

Sultanbacı strawberry jam comes in a 380 g jar and is made in the Turkish style known as çilek reçeli. It has a bright red colour and a sweet, fresh strawberry taste, and it belongs on the breakfast table next to butter, cheese and warm bread.

How reçel differs

Turkish jam, or reçel, is often looser than a British set jam. Fruit pieces or whole berries sit in a glossy syrup instead of a firm gel, and the spoon comes out with chunks of fruit rather than a smooth spread. That makes it good for spooning over yoghurt and pancakes as well as spreading on bread. The exact texture depends on the producer and the batch, so check the jar to see how much fruit you get.

Sultanbacı is a Turkish brand that makes a range of reçel, including rose, sour cherry and quince. For the ingredients, sugar content and fruit percentage, read the label.

Strawberry jam at breakfast

In a Turkish breakfast, jam is served in small bowls rather than straight from the jar, with a spoon for each person. Strawberry is one of the most common flavours, along with apricot and sour cherry. People spread it on bread with butter, eat it with salty white cheese for a sweet and savoury mix, or pair it with kaymak.

With cream

Kaymak, the thick Turkish cream, is the classic partner for jam and honey. In the UK, clotted cream is the closest match and works equally well. Spread cream on warm bread, add a spoonful of strawberry jam on top, and serve with a glass of black tea. It is close to a cream tea, Turkish style.

Other ways to use it

• Swirl a spoonful into thick yoghurt with a few chopped nuts.
• Spread between layers of a sponge cake or inside a Swiss roll.
• Fill thumbprint biscuits before baking.
• Warm a little and pour over pancakes, waffles or rice pudding.
• Stir into iced tea or sparkling water with mint for a simple summer drink.
• Use as a glaze for a fruit tart, loosened with a splash of water.

Making the most of the syrup

If the strawberries sink and leave syrup on top, give the jar a gentle stir before serving. The syrup itself is useful: drizzle it over ice cream or into a glass of cold milk for a quick strawberry milk. Some people stir it into plain tea instead of sugar.

Strawberry is a gentle flavour, so this is a good jar to start with if you are introducing the family to Turkish breakfasts. Serve it with soft white bread, a little butter and slices of mild cheese, and let everyone build their own plate. Older children can try it with salty white cheese for the sweet and savoury contrast adults enjoy.

Storage

Keep the unopened jar in a cool, dry cupboard. After opening, close the lid tightly and store it in the fridge. Use a clean, dry spoon each time so the jam stays fresh. Look on the jar for the best before date and any advice on how long it keeps once open.

Order Sultanbacı jam online

Robin Food delivers across the UK, with same-day delivery available in many London areas. You can build a breakfast jam selection with Sultanbacı Rose Jam and Sultanbacı Sour Cherry Jam, then add Gazi Cream Kaymak for the classic pairing.