Description
Damson Jam
A dark, richly fruited British damson jam with bold plum flavour and a naturally sweet-sharp finish.
Quick answer: Damson Jam is a handmade British fruit preserve made in Gloucestershire with around 35 to 40 damsons in every 200 g jar. It tastes deeper, darker and more intense than standard plum jam, with rich fruit flavour, natural tartness and a beautifully balanced sweet-sharp finish.
Our Damson Jam is handmade in small batches in The Artisan Kitchen in Gloucestershire using British damsons, chosen for their deep colour, bold plum flavour and natural sharpness.
Each 200 g jar contains around 35 to 40 damsons, giving this jam its dark fruit depth, generous flavour and distinctive damson character. It is richer and more intense than many everyday plum jams, with a lovely balance of sweetness, tartness and fruit-led depth.
Choose this jam if you love a deep, dark British fruit preserve with proper plum intensity and a gently sharp finish.
Why This Damson Jam Is Special
35 to 40 damsons
Made with around 35 to 40 damsons in every 200 g jar.
British fruit
Made with British damsons for deep colour and bold flavour.
Three-star winner
Recognised with a Great Taste three-star award.
Sweet-sharp flavour
Rich, dark and fruit-led with a naturally tart finish.
Tasting Notes
Flavour: Deep British damson with rich plum intensity
Sweetness: Balanced rather than overly sweet
Sharpness: Naturally tart with a lively fruit finish
Texture: Soft-set, dark and generously fruit-led
What Does Damson Jam Taste Like?
Damson jam has a deeper, darker and more distinctive flavour than many plum jams. The fruit brings richness, colour and natural tartness, giving the finished jam a beautifully balanced sweet-sharp character.
It is bold without feeling heavy, with enough freshness to cut through butter, pastry, cream and cheese. That makes it a lovely choice for breakfast, afternoon tea, baking and cheese boards.
Why Damsons Make Such Good Jam
Damsons are one of Britain’s great preserving fruits. They are smaller and sharper than many eating plums, with deep colour, aromatic flavour and natural acidity.
That natural sharpness is what gives damson jam its structure and character. Instead of tasting simply sweet, it has depth, brightness and a slightly grown-up edge. Slightly niche, deeply British and quietly magnificent on toast.
Damson Jam is particularly good with mature Cheddar. See this pairing, along with Sarah’s recommendations for Brie, Stilton, goat’s cheese and more, in our
guide to pairing jam and cheese.
How to Enjoy Damson Jam
- Spread generously on warm buttered toast, crumpets or sourdough
- Serve with scones, croissants, brioche or toasted teacakes
- Pair with mature cheddar, soft cheese or creamy blue cheese
- Use as a filling for Victoria sponge, jam tarts or thumbprint biscuits
- Spoon onto rice pudding, porridge, yoghurt or vanilla ice cream
- Warm gently and brush over fruit tarts for a glossy damson glaze
Chef-crafted, small batch, preserving excellence.
Sarah’s Maker’s Note
Damson jam is all about balance. The fruit naturally brings sharpness and depth, so the job is to let that character lead while keeping the sweetness carefully judged. It is especially good anywhere you want contrast, from buttered toast to cheese, pastry and cream.
Awards & Recognition
This Damson Jam has been recognised with a Great Taste three-star award, the highest rating given by Great Taste judges.
That recognition reflects the qualities we value most: excellent British fruit, generous flavour, natural balance and a preserve that keeps the distinctive character of the damson clear in every spoonful.
Ingredients
Ingredients: British damsons, sugar.
Damson Jam FAQs
What does Damson Jam taste like?
Damson Jam tastes deep, rich and fruit-led, with a naturally sweet-sharp edge. It has more intensity than many plum jams, giving it a darker, fuller and more distinctive flavour.
Is Damson Jam the same as plum jam?
Damson Jam is a type of plum jam, but damsons usually have a sharper and more intense flavour than many eating plums. They bring deeper colour, stronger fruit character and natural tartness.
Is Damson Jam sweet or tart?
It is both sweet and tart. The sugar balances the natural sharpness of the damsons, while the fruit keeps the jam lively, rich and fresh rather than overly sugary.
What can I serve with Damson Jam?
Damson Jam is lovely on toast, scones, crumpets and pastries. It also pairs beautifully with cheese and works very well in sponge cakes, jam tarts, rice pudding, yoghurt and ice cream.
How many damsons are in each jar?
Each 200 g jar is made with around 35 to 40 damsons, giving the jam its dark colour, generous fruit flavour and distinctive damson depth.
Is it suitable for vegetarians and vegans?
Yes. This jam is suitable for both vegetarians and vegans.
Discover More
If you are choosing jam for scones, afternoon tea or baking, read our guide to the perfect jam for every scone.
For a closer look at what makes handmade preserves different, explore our artisan jam vs supermarket jam feature.
For baking inspiration, try our Damson Jam Victoria Sandwich recipe, or browse our full collection of artisan jams.
Sending as a gift? We can hand-wrap your order and add a handwritten note. No pricing is included in the parcel.
Looking for a Plum Jam Gift?
For a generous tasting collection, discover our Heritage Plum Jam Gift Box. It combines this traditional Damson Jam with two distinctive Gloucestershire heritage plum preserves.
Linda –
I bought this as a gift for my dad and is what he had to say….
“The taste of the conserve I had given to me as a gift were absolutely divine.
I rate the products as outstanding as well as the customer service.
Fantastic”
Thank you for making my dad happy 😊 💖😊
Karen Taylor –
I bought this as a present for my Mother a few years ago and she stated that it was honestly the best ever jam she had tasted. Don’t stop producing this rather special jam!
S Hartle –
Best damson jam EVER 10/10
Richard –
Excellent jam, superb flavour, none better!
John McCormack –
Fantastic depth of flavour and, as with all the Artisan Kitchen products I have tried, the level of sweetness is just right.
Julian Richardson –
Excellent jam. Dark purple, thick, occasional tiny slither of skin shows evidence of fruit. Quite tart, which suits me. A good plum/damson flavour.
nicholas_hawkins –
The best Damson jam I’ve had since I was a child. Amazing strength of flavour without the sugary sweetness of other producers and worth every penny.
Caroline Muller –
I am diabetic but I love your jams as they are not too sweet even though there is some sugar
flisspencer –
Wonderful deep damson flavour. Tried making sone many years ago with foraged damsons, but the stones drove me crazy! Definitely worth every penny!
Sonia Hornby –
Best jam ever
anne –
Best Damson Jam I have ever tasted, brilliant!
Shelley –
This was our family’s favourite. By far the best quality jam we’ve ever had. Put simply- Yum!
Matthew –
I never shop online for food but as the supermarkets never stock plum jam it’s very hard to find. I will now only ever buy this plum jam as it’s the best I’ve ever had and well worth the money!
Gilly Holmes –
Not tasted yet but presentation and packaging excellent.
Paul B –
Bought as a gift. I just heard from my friends that they finished half the jar (with Yorkshire pudding) the first time they opened it – they told me that the jam is truly damson-fruity and absolutely delicious. I am now planning to try it myself.
Thaina –
La prune est vraiment mise à l honneur.
Jam on buttered toast with tea is my favourite combo
Carol F –
Outstandingly good damson jam. Damson is one of my favourite jams and this is the best I have ever tasted. I don’t eat jam often but when I do (with scones, drop scones, heavy textured grain toast) I like it to be sensational and this is! Guests love it, too.