Our top 8 spices for compotes and jams

Homemade jams are a great way to preserve seasonal fruits and enjoy their delicious flavours all year round, free of preservatives and additives. While fruits and sugar are the main ingredients in jam, spices can be added to create unique and delicious combinations.

Spices have been used in cooking for centuries to enhance the flavor of food. Adding spices to your homemade jams can elevate their taste, from good to great, and add a layer of complexity to their taste.

They can also balance out the sweetness of the jam, by adding warmth, bitterness, or tanginess, and may even help lower the blood sugar, like Cinnamon. Indeed, spices can provide additional health benefits. Many spices, such as Ginger, and Turmeric, have anti-inflammatory properties that could help improve your overall health.

When making jam with spices, it’s important to use fresh, high-quality spices for the best flavor. Buying spices in small quantities from a reputable source is key. At La Plantation, we ensure a uniquely traceable spice, directly bought from the producer (yes, that’s us!). All our spices are cultivated at our own Farm or within our cooperative of Small Farmers, or foraged in the wild (like our Cardamoms), and are then processed on the same day, and packaged by hand in our Kampot Farm, ready to be shipped by boat! All our spices are thus very fresh; they are only a couple of months old, compared to several years for the rest of the spice industry, that you find in supermarkets or at other non-producer brands!

All that you need to do is to store them in a cool, dry place, away from light (they can be kept in the kraft tubes, designed for that purpose), it will help ensure they retain their potency, flavour, and vibrant colour!

The type of spices you use in your homemade jams will depend on the fruit you are using and the aromatic balance you want to achieve. Here are some ideas:

Cinnamon: This classic spice pairs well with most fruits and adds warmth and sweetness to your jam. Try adding cinnamon to your apple or pear jam for a cozy fall flavour.

Cardamom: This aromatic spice has a unique flavor that pairs well with stone fruits like apricots and peaches, and even oranges, it adds a bright citrus flavor to your jam.

Ginger: This spicy root adds a zing to your jam and goes well with berries like strawberries and raspberries.

Star Anise: This licorice-flavored spice pairs well with citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits. This combination adds a unique twist to your marmalade and is perfect for a brunch spread.

Our Chai Mix: This pre-made blend is the easiest way to spice up a wide range of fruits; from apricots to pears and peaches.

Red Kampot Pepper: One of our favorite pepper to pair with fruits, it will pairs really well with pineapples and mangoes. If you don’t live in an area with tropical fruits, you can also find this combination as Dried Fruits, our newest range of products with fully ripe and locally-grown mangoes and pineapples, dehydrated in Cambodia!

Black Kampot Pepper: This intense pepper will best sublimate strawberries.
Turmeric: For an extra orange and healthy boost, don’t hesitate to add some Turmeric to your next orange marmalade!

Spices can be added to the jam and compotes in different ways. Some people prefer to infuse the spices into the fruit mixture by simmering them together in a pot before adding the sugar. This method allows the flavors to meld together and results in a more pronounced spice flavor.

For whole spices, such as Star Anise and Cardamom, it’s best to add them as soon as you start cooking the fruits.

For powdered spices, such as Ginger or Cinnamon, you can add them during the cooking process.

For our Kampot Peppers, it’s best to add them right at the end to avoid heating them up too much!

During cooking, you can start adding spices to your liking, 1 teaspoon at a time, until you quite like the balance, but the spice shouldn’t be overpowering.

Taste again the compote or jam after cooking is done, when the mixture is cooled down, and adjust the seasoning.

For whole spices, you may keep them in the jar, as they will keep infusing the fruits, and create a lovely decoration, or remove them to keep the balance intact.

Spring and summer are abundant with fresh fruits, which are perfect for making homemade jams. Here are some ideas for seasonal jams that you can make during these months:

Strawberries are in season during late spring and early summer, and they make a delicious jam. You can add a hint of Red or Black Kampot Pepper to spice it up!

Blueberries are another popular fruit that is in season during the summer months. Add a touch of Cinnamon, or our Chai Mix, to give your jam or compote a warm, spiced flavour.

Raspberries have a tangy, sweet flavor that pairs well with Ginger.

Peaches are in season during the summer and make a delicious jam or compote when combined with a hint of Cinnamon or Cardamom.

Apricots are another fruit that is in season during the summer months. They pair well with Ginger, and our Chai Mix, and can be a great addition to your breakfast toast or yoghurt.

Blackberries are in season during the late summer months and can be combined with Star Anise for a unique spicy pairing.

Figs are a great option to make a spicy jam, with a touch of Cinnamon.

In summary, there are plenty of seasonal fruits available during spring and summer that can be used to make delicious homemade jams or compotes. By adding a variety of spices and flavors, you can create unique combinations that will enhance the natural sweetness of the fruit.

By experimenting with different spice combinations, you can create jams that are tailored to your taste preferences. It is a fun and creative way to create delicious and truly one-of-a-kind flavors that you can enjoy all year round!
Let us know which pairing you liked best this season!