Rum Top Fruit Jam

Rumtopffrüchte Fruit Spread. Raspberry, strawberry and cherry with a splash of Jamaican rum.

Rumtopffrüchte Fruit Spread by FrüchteMeer combines raspberries, strawberries and cherries with rum to create a spread for adults. No rumtopf fruit, no berry jam for children, no liqueur to spoon.

Rumtopffrüchte Fruit Spread is a fruit spread from the FrüchteMeer jam manufactory in Wankendorf, combining three red summer fruits with Jamaican rum. According to the ingredients list, the fruit makes up half the jar, while the rum accounts for three percent. This reverses the ratio of a classic rumtopf. There, the fruit soaks in high-proof rum for months; here, the rum merely sets the tone. The result tastes like rumtopf fruit but remains, first and foremost, a fruit spread.

Three red fruits and a warm rum note

The Rumtopffrüchte Fruit Spread tastes of ripe red berries with a warm, slightly caramel-like rum note in the background. Each fruit plays its own role. The raspberry provides tartness and aroma, the strawberry sweetness and richness, and the cherry a dark, juicy depth.

The rum brings the three together and prolongs the finish. It does not push itself to the fore but is clearly noticeable. A note for families: The recipe contains rum, so this jar is not intended for children. The manufactory also offers pure fruit varieties without alcohol.

Compared to a rumtopf made at home, the spread tastes fresher and more fruit-forward. Those seeking the heavy, alcoholic punch of preserved fruit will find this variety too understated.

With vanilla ice cream, in baked apples and on crêpes

The spread shines brightest in desserts with vanilla, cream and warmth—just where a rumtopf is traditionally served. Five suggestions:

• Warm two tablespoons briefly in the jar and pour over vanilla ice cream.
• Core baked apples, fill with one tablespoon each of spread and chopped almonds, and bake at 180°C for 25 minutes.
• Spread thinly over crêpes, fold them and serve with a dusting of powdered sugar.
• For a quick cream, mix 250 g mascarpone with 100 g quark and three tablespoons of spread.
• Add a spoonful to panna cotta or semolina pudding.

Those who want to emphasize the cherry and rum even more should choose the Cherry Spread with Vanilla and Rum. For the family breakfast table, the pure strawberry spread without alcohol is ideal.

Our tip: For breakfast, this jar is better suited to Sunday. The rum note releases its aroma most beautifully on a warm butter croissant, as the warmth brings out the flavors.

For desserts, it is worth warming the spread briefly before serving. It becomes more liquid, can be drizzled like a sauce, and smells much more strongly of rum. A small saucepan over low heat is sufficient; it should not be boiled.

Rumtopf and rum: two North German traditions

The rumtopf is an old method of preserving summer fruit for the winter. From early summer, ripe fruit is layered with sugar and high-proof rum in a rounded stoneware pot. Strawberries usually form the base, followed by cherries and raspberries. Traditionally, the pot is only opened in the cold season.

Rum has its own history in northern Germany. In Flensburg, rum-blended spirits were created in the 19th century by mixing strong Caribbean rum with neutral alcohol. Jamaican rum is considered particularly aromatic. It is traditionally distilled in copper pot stills to a large extent, bringing with it strong, fruity ester aromas. It is precisely this aromatic profile that gives the rum note its character in the spread.

FrüchteMeer combines both traditions in one jar. Karsten Thiesen and Susanne Lucht-Thiesen founded the manufactory in 1996; it is based in Wankendorf, a town between Kiel and Neumünster. They make both classic varieties and new combinations, paying close attention to the origin and processing of their ingredients.

Good to know: During the canning process, some of the alcohol evaporates, while some of the rum aromas are preserved. The ingredients list does not state how much alcohol remains in the jar at the end. It only shows the rum content of three percent in the recipe. Therefore, this spread is not the right choice for pregnant women, children or people who strictly avoid alcohol.

For rumtopf lovers without their own stoneware pot

What makes this jar special is its convenience. Those who enjoy the taste of rumtopf fruit but do not want to tend to their own pot for months will find a spreadable version here. It is perfect for festive desserts, afternoon coffee and an indulgent Sunday breakfast.

As a gift for adults, the 210-g jar is particularly well suited for hosts who enjoy serving dessert. Paired with a pack of vanilla ice cream wafers or a Stollen, it makes a lovely small present. Store in the refrigerator after opening.

Rumtopffrüchte by FrüchteMeer brings the taste of a long-matured rumtopf into a small jar, ready for your next dessert evening.