Most are cooked and preserved with sugar. Their individual characteristics depend on the kind of fruit used and the way it is prepared, the ingredients and their proportions in the mixture, and the method of preparation. Jams are thick, sweet spreads made by cooking crushed or chopped fruits with sugar.
Jams tend to hold their shape but are generally less firm than jelly.
Jellies are usually made by cooking fruit juice with sugar. A good product is clear and firm enough to hold its shape when turned out of the container, yet quivers when moved. Preserves are spreads containing small, whole fruit or uniform-size pieces in a clear, slightly gelled syrup. The fruit should be tender and plump. Conserves are jam-like products that may be made from a mixture of fruits.