Confiture

Confiture is a French term referring to any type of fruit preserve, jam, or marmalade. The word itself translates directly to "jam" in English. While the term is broad and encompasses a wide variety of fruit preparations, certain traditional understandings influence its usage.

Generally, "confiture" implies a cooked fruit preserve, often containing whole or large pieces of fruit suspended in a thickened sugar syrup. This distinguishes it from jellies, which are made from fruit juice and lack solid fruit pieces. It also differs slightly from the stricter definition of "jam" in some countries, which may require a specific pectin content.

The term "confiture" is also used to describe preparations made with other sweet ingredients alongside the fruit, such as spices, herbs, or even liquor. The key characteristic remains the preserving of fruit in a sugar solution, often to extend its shelf life.

While the precise definition and specific methods for preparing "confiture" can vary regionally and according to personal preferences, the underlying principle is consistent: preserving fruit in sugar for consumption at a later date.