ChallengesÂ
The shift toward healthier spreads is accelerating, with consumers actively seeking products that carry "no added sugar" claims—especially in fruit jams. However, removing sugar from jam isn’t just about reducing sweetness; it directly impacts the product’s structure, stability, preservation, and flavour delivery.Â
Sugar in traditional jam serves multiple roles: it provides viscosity, bulk, and mouthfeel, enhances the fruit flavour, and lowers water activity for shelf stability. Removing added sugar can lead to watery texture, weak gel structure, shortened shelf life, and a flat taste profile. This makes formulating a stable, enjoyable no added sugar jam a complex challenge for R&D teams.Â
Azelis’ solutionsÂ
To formulate a no added sugar strawberry jam using a carefully selected ingredient system that restores structure and taste. We use specialty texturizer to build gel structure and ensure a stable, spreadable texture, polydextrose, a soluble fiber that restores bulk and mouthfeel typically provided by sugar and Xtra Guard a natural rowanberry extract that replaces sorbates for clean label preservation. Together, these ingredients deliver a balanced, spreadable jam with no added sugar—maintaining flavour, texture, and shelf-life without compromising on sensory experience.
Hero ingredients
- Genu® Pectin type 115 Medium Rapid Set: A high ester pectin extracted from citrus peel and standardized by the addition of sucrose. A natural gelling agent essential for building viscosity and achieving the characteristic gelled texture of jam, especially in low-sugar environments.
- Xtra Guard: botanical extracts, specifically rowan berry (Sorbus aucuparia L.), a natural source of sorbate that offers key advantages and benefits to the food and beverage industry.
- Polydextrose: A soluble fiber that replaces the bulk and mouthfeel traditionally contributed by sugar. It supports spreadability, improves texture, and adds fiber content for enhanced nutritional value.
Features and benefits
- No added sugar
- Contains fiber
- Smooth and easy to spread
- Stable with syneresis control
- Good gloss and spreadability
- Optimal sweet and sour balance
- Excellent flavour release
Application uses
- Confectionery > Jams, Fruit preparations