Being given the opportunity to product test President’s Choice new line of Black Label foodie treats has been amazing. So far they have been impressive and I know it is silly but… I love the packaging. The use of black and white photography on dark labels with bright coloured text is so eye-catching, I am drawn to them immediately.
Don’t worry! I am as picky as ever and will be honest about the quality of food without getting too impressed with eye candy. Still, I love this attention to artistic detail.
President’s Choice Black Label Wild Blueberry Fruit Spread (no link seems to be available for this product) is perfectly set. It has been cooked long enough to be spreadable but is not thin or messy.
The spread has definitely made with beautiful tiny wild blueberries that are still intact and not over-cooked. Many dark fruity pearls still glisten throughout the thick aubergine elixir.
We went through our first bottle very quickly, each weekend baked treat had to be topped with this spread. Every time Reg had a bite he commented on how delicious the jam was and I agreed. I also did my own taste comparison with other blueberry jams (including one I had made myself). This one came on top each time.
It tastes like the end of summer in a jar. You can tell these were picked at the height of blueberry season in Quebec and then frozen to make the jam. This is the list of ingredients: wild blueberries, sugar, glucose, concentrated lemon juice and pectin. That is it. Very impressive!
It may be a little gauche to mention a competing product but this jam will not be available to everyone
The jar I tested is 370 mL and costs $5.99. A jar of Smuckers Wild Blueberry No Sugar Added Jam is 310 mL and costs $3.79 at my store. Less expensive and very delicious. It kind of tastes like blueberry pie filling though!
My mom insisted I product test this jam and she was right, it is also amazing! I has only 20 calories per tbsp which is much less than the Black Label spread because it is made with concentrated white grape juice. The flavours are very simple though and the jam tastes a little less cooked down. OK Mom, I spread the news with my readers!
As much as I enjoyed the Smuckers jam, I found the Black Label fruit spread more complex, deep and satisfying. Yes, it is more expensive but for a discerning foodie? Absolutely worth the price. I have no complaints on this product and neither does Reg. It receives a rare five out of five wooden spoons rating and not because it is so very pretty. It is just damn delicious but I am keeping the pretty jar!
I also love the fact in comes in an actual “Mason” jar. Nothing beats the flavour of wild blueberries. I find regular, larger, blueberries flavourless compared to these. Definitely going to have to try this spread, I bet it would be fabulous for baking with as well.
I was just going to say the same thing as AvaDJ – love that it comes in a mason jar! We can’t recycle glass where I live and a mason jar is a container that I could definitely reuse. I think that is smart packaging.
I just took off the label and put the mason jar in the dishwasher, I agree, it is so cool they used one and it actually says “Mason” on it. This would make a great stocking stuffer for your favourite foodie! Not just the jar but the jam too, LOL.
mmm i really want english muffins with blueberry jam now š
So far I just tried the pasta in this new Black Label Line. I am going to try the jam. Everything looks so good in this new line of PC products. I just wished that the price was a bit lower.