Why do Americans call jam, jelly?

Question

I thought jelly was something entirely different

Answer 1

Possibly for the same reason as they call TOMATO SAUCE, KETCHUP.

Answer 2

Jelly and jam are different. Jelly has no fruit seeds or pulp whereas jam and preserves do. Anyone who calls jam and jelly the same thing doesn't know what they're talking about.

On top of that, you have fruit butter (apple, pumpkin, pear, etc) which is something else entirely. But that is like a really thick applesauce (or whatever flavor you have) that you spread on toast just like you would with jelly or jam, and last time I checked wasn't made with butter. It shares the name though becasue it has a similar consistency.

Answer 3

We know that jam and jelly ARE entirely different. Jelly is clear, made just from the juice of the fruit. Jam is made from the fruit including the pulp.

Answer 4

I make both.......they are totally different.
Jelly is a sweet or savoury food gel, usually made through the addition of gelatin or pectin to edible liquids.

In the United States, the usual distinction between "jelly" and jam is that the latter contains visible seeds or pieces of fruit, whereas the former does not. Jam is also often thicker and more spreadable. The traditional process of making jelly called for the cooked ingredients to be put into a cloth bag. The liquid that drained through the bag without squeezing could be made into a transparent jelly; the remaining thick contents in the bag could be made into jam. Gelatine desserts are not ordinarily referred to as "jelly" in the US, and it is rare (though not unheard of) to use the term for savoury foods of any description. Mayhaw jelly is a delicacy in parts of the American South.

In cooking, a variety of terms are used to classify pectin-based jellies:

* "True" jellies are smooth textured and made from fruit juice, such as grape jelly.
* Jams contain both fruit juice and pieces of the fruit's flesh, strawberry jam for example. Jams are also called preserves.

Answer 5

They are different...
JELLY is made from ONLY the juice of the fruit . cooked with the sugar until it has thickened with perhaps some extra fruit pectin added to speed up the process.

JAM is made from the whole fruit, usually cut up and strained or sieved during the process (to remove seeds and imperfections). Some, such as strawberry and raspberry with very small seeds, are not strained and sometimes just mashed during the cooking process.

MARMALADE and FRUIT PRESERVE are made with the whole fruit, peeled, cleaned and chopped, seeds are removed by hand.
English cut marmalade (such as orange or lemon). has a julienne of the peel included, which gives it its distinctive slightly bitter flavour.
Then there are the fruit "BUTTERS" such as apple, lemon (also called lemon curd) and mango, etc. These are often made with the fruit purée that is left after making a jelly. They are cooked a few minutes, run through a sieve, then some water is added, and cooked again, stirring constantly to avoid sticking, for a few more minutes...

For extra pectin, I usually cook my jams (especially strawberry) with 2 or 3 whole apples. (apple is the fruit that has the most pectin in it). When thickened I remove the apples and use them as a dessert with a little fresh cream (non-sweetened...the fruit is extra sweet itself from cooking with the berries).

The basic defintions for jam, jelly, etc. are in my mothers american cookbook, which dates back to the year 1950, so, I think, not ALL americans mistake jelly for jam!
(Especially those americans who are still lucky enough to have someone in the family who does homemade jams and jellies!)
:-D

Answer 6

Americans (being one myself) do not call jam anything but jam Jelly is jelly. Evidence of this can be found on the shelves of any American grocery store.
Here's more:
A jelly is a sweet or savoury food gel, usually made through the addition of gelatin or pectin to edible liquids.

Sweet jellies include fruit jam or gelatin desserts such as Jell-O and blancmange. Savoury jellies include aspic or plain gelatine. Vegetarians and Vegans make jellies using agar, which is made from seaweed as opposed to animal collagen-based gelatin.

In the United States, the usual distinction between "jelly" and jam is that the latter contains visible seeds or pieces of fruit, whereas the former does not. Jam is also often thicker and more spreadable. The traditional process of making jelly called for the cooked ingredients to be put into a cloth bag. The liquid that drained through the bag without squeezing could be made into a transparent jelly; the remaining thick contents in the bag could be made into jam. Gelatine desserts are not ordinarily referred to as "jelly" in the US, and it is rare (though not unheard of) to use the term for savoury foods of any description. Mayhaw jelly is a delicacy in parts of the American South.

In cooking, a variety of terms are used to classify pectin-based jellies:

"True" jellies are smooth textured and made from fruit juice, such as grape jelly.
Jams contain both fruit juice and pieces of the fruit's flesh, strawberry jam for example. Jams are also called preserves.
Marmalades are jams that contain some of the fruit's rind or peel. Citrus fruits are commonly used in marmalades.
Fruit butters are sweet spreads made of fruit cooked to a paste and then lightly sweetened, such as apple butter.

Answer 7

Probably because of television advertisement.
Same reason we call facial tissues "Kleenex"
Or 'Coke' to mean Coca Cola, RC, Pepsi, etc. Saying "jelly" is an unconscious grouping of jellies, jams and preserves. Anyway, they taste the same really...the main difference is the texture or spreadability. We dont care as long as it tastes like jelly!

Answer 8

Most know the difference between jam and jelly. Jam is preserved whole fruit. Jelly is jelled fruit juice, with no whole fruit in it.

Answer 9

Jam is a preserve containing fruit. Jelly is the crap you buy in isle 5 the the local grocer.

Answer 10

Jelly is made with a settin solution with gelatine and do not know why do Americans call Jelly what we call Jam.

I think calling a Lift and Elevator is strange as well.

Answer 11

We don't. Jam is jelly with pieces of fruit (preservatives) still in it. Jelly doesn't have those fruit chunks in it. Maybe you met a confused American.