Cherry-Vanilla-Rum Fruit Spread

Cherry-Vanilla-Rum Fruit Spread. Half sour cherry, with Bourbon vanilla and a splash of rum.

Cherry-Vanilla-Rum Fruit Spread by FrüchteMeer consists of 50% sour cherries, refined with Bourbon vanilla and 2% Jamaican rum. No mulled wine spread, no children's spread, and no sweet cherry jam without tartness.

Cherry-Vanilla-Rum Fruit Spread is a sour cherry fruit spread from the FrüchteMeer jam manufactory, in which vanilla and rum season the fruit rather than overpowering it. The comparison with the Christmas variety Glühender Kirschzauber makes this clear. That one contains 37 percent sour cherries, plus 12 percent red wine and rum. Here it is 50 percent sour cherries, and the rum accounts for only 2 percent. Cherry is listed before sugar in the ingredients list, while it is the other way around with Kirschzauber. The result is a fruit-forward cherry spread, which vanilla and rum give a dessert note.

First the sour cherry tartness, then vanilla, finally a hint of rum

The Cherry-Vanilla-Rum Fruit Spread tastes juicy and tart of sour cherry at first, before vanilla softens the edges. A dark, slightly caramel warmth from the Jamaican rum follows on the finish. The color in the glass is a deep cherry red. Spreadable as it is, the spread can also be swirled into yogurt or quark.

Bourbon vanilla refers to vanilla from the islands in the Indian Ocean, above all Madagascar. The green pods barely smell after harvest. Their typical aroma only develops when they are blanched, fermented for weeks, and slowly dried. This is when the vanillin forms, which you know from pudding and pastries. In the spread, the vanilla tempers the tartness of the cherry without masking it.

Because rum is part of the recipe, the spread is not intended for children. It is also not suitable for people who generally avoid alcohol. The manufacturer does not state how much alcohol remains after cooking. Anyone looking for a mild, very sweet cherry jam will find the tartness of the sour cherry too pronounced.

Layers in chocolate cake, ricotta, and warm brioche

Cherry and chocolate are a classic pair, and this spread brings them together effortlessly. Spread it on the cooled base of a Sacher-style chocolate cake instead of apricot. Half a glass is enough for a 26-cm mold, the glaze goes on top. The sour cherry tartness cuts through the heavy chocolate. A splash of sugar-free cream is enough as an accompaniment.

For a bite with coffee, put ricotta on toasted bread slices and add a teaspoon of spread and chopped pistachios on top. For breakfast, it goes well on warm brioche or a butter croissant. Spooned over vanilla ice cream or stracciatella, it becomes a quick cherry sauce. Anyone who prefers cherry with an almond aroma should reach for the Cherry Fruit Spread with Marzipan.

Our tip: Fill small puff pastry pockets with one teaspoon of spread each and a cube of dark chocolate. After 15 minutes at 200°C, they are golden brown and liquid inside. For savory dishes such as roast or game, this variety is less suitable; there, the red wine variant plays to its strengths.

A sour cherry classic, newly seasoned in Wankendorf

The FrüchteMeer jam manufactory is based in Wankendorf in the district of Plön. It was founded by Susanne Lucht-Thiesen in 1996, and since then she has run the house together with Karsten Thiesen. Its guiding principle describes the combination of traditional working with innovative ideas and genuine curiosity. According to her own statement, every jar passes through the hands of the team.

Unlike Glühender Kirschzauber, Cherry-Vanilla-Rum is not part of the Christmas edition. In the manufacturer's shop, the variety is listed in the category of the most popular fruit spreads, marked with the characteristics "with alcohol" and "with spices". On the label, the manufactory expressly highlights the real Bourbon vanilla and the Jamaican rum.

From experience, it is worth looking at the weighting. At 2 percent, the rum is a spice, not a main ingredient. Jamaican rum is considered particularly aromatic, so even small amounts shape the taste. The sour cherry as a base ensures that the spread remains fresh despite the vanilla and rum and does not turn liqueur-like.

A cherry spread for dessert lovers at the breakfast table

What distinguishes this variety is the bridge between breakfast and dessert. It tastes like Black Forest cake on a roll and like cherry compote with vanilla sauce in a dessert. This makes it suitable for people who like something sweet with depth at breakfast.

For brunch among adults or a coffee get-together, the 210-g jar is suitable as a small treat. Together with a bar of dark chocolate, it creates a gift for cherry lovers. Anyone who wants to try both cherry varieties of the manufactory side by side should add the Sour Cherry Spread with Red Wine.

Once tried on warm brioche, a regular cherry jar seems a little too plain by comparison.