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Donate- Jam – Bracha on fruit or vegetable Jam:[1]
Marmalade[2] – Peels in jam:[3] There is a debate amongst the Poskim whether fruit peels that have been cooked and turned into jam or marmalade are considered Haeitz or Ha’adama. The debate is based on whether the peel is seen as a main part of the fruit or not. Practically, one is to recite a blessing of Ha’adama, which fulfills ones obligation according to all opinions, nonetheless, Bedieved if one said Haeitz he is Yotzei. [This only applied in previous times. However, today since people no longer keep the peels of fruits and rather discard them, and hence fruits are not considered grown for their peels, therefore some Poskim[4] rule that their peels are Shehakol even when eaten as jam.]
Exceptions – Esrog peel:[5] The Esrog peel in jam, candy, or chocolate is considered Haeitz because it is cultivated for its peel, and is the main part of the fruit.
Spice jam:[6] Spiced jam or honey is to receive the Shehakol blessing and not the blessing of the spice. However, if the jam contains small pieces of crushed spices [which are recognizable[7]], then one recites the blessing of the spice.
Fruit Jam:[8] If the jam contains visible pieces of fruit, it follows the blessing of the fruit. If the fruit is completely disintegrated, the blessing is Shehakol.[9] [Thus Esrog jelly or esrog jam that contains the peels is considered Haeitz. In contrast, strawberry jam that is disintegrated is categorized as Shehakol.]
Jalapeno or Ginger jam: Jalapeno or Ginger jam is Ha’adama even if the ginger is crushed[10], [so long as one can still see the ginger in the jam.[11]]
| Type | Blessing | Conditions/Notes |
| Fruit peels in jam/marmalade | Ha’adama | Fulfills obligation according to all opinions; if said Haeitz, Yotzei Bedieved; some Poskim today: Shehakol if peels usually discarded |
| Esrog peel in jam/candy/chocolate | Haeitz | Cultivated for peel; main part of fruit |
| Spiced jam or honey | Shehakol | Not the blessing of the spice |
| Spiced jam with visible crushed spices | Blessing of the spice | Crushed spices must be recognizable |
| Fruit jam with visible pieces of fruit | Blessing of the fruit | Visible pieces present |
| Fruit jam, fruit completely disintegrated | Shehakol | Fruit not visible |
| Esrog jelly/jam with peels | Haeitz | Contains peels |
| Strawberry jam, disintegrated | Shehakol | Fruit disintegrated |
| Jalapeno or Ginger jam | Ha’adama | Even if ginger is crushed, as long as visible in jam |
[1] Seder 6:4; Seder 7:10 and 22; Admur 202:9; Ketzos Hashulchan 51:7
[2] Jam made from peels is often called marmalade, especially when made from citrus fruit like orange, lemon, or grapefruit peels. Marmalade typically includes both the fruit’s peel and pulp, giving it a tangy and slightly bitter flavor
[3] Seder 6:4; 202:9; Ketzos Hashulchan 51:7
[4] Piskeiy Teshuvos 202:13
[5] Piskeiy Teshuvos 202 Footnote 67
[6] Seder 7:10; 204:16; Ketzos Hashulchan 51:8
What is it: Spice jam is a type of jam or preserve that incorporates spices often featuring warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, or ginger.
[7] Seder 7:22; Piskeiy Teshuvos 202:20; Seder Luach p. 165; See Luach Prus that Jam is Shehakol
[8] See Seder 7:10 and 22; Admur 204:16; Piskeiy Teshuvos 202:20; Seder Luach p. 165; See Luach Prus
[9] There is a need for further study on how this ruling of all the Sefarim above does not contradict Admur in Seder 7:10 and Ketzos Hashulchan 51; 58:5, which states that they retain their blessing “even if finely crushed”. See Admur 7:22 which says if completely crushed until unrecognizable, it loses its original blessing if not Derech Achilasan. Seemingly, it is all dependent on whether it is Derech Achilasan to eat specifically ground.
[10] Seder 7:10
[11] See Seder 7:22
