Bonne Maman

You know those little jars with the gingham lids that basically scream "French countryside" from your grocery store shelf? That's Bonne Maman, and there's way more to this brand than meets the eye.

The brand was created by Andros in 1971 as a mass-produced product with a home-made feel, but here's the thing-it actually works. Bonne Maman is the #1 premium preserves brand in the U.S. and #2 selling brand of preserves in the U.S. That's not nothing. The name literally translates to "good mother" or "good grandma," which kind of perfectly captures what they're going for.

What sets them apart? Andros promotes Bonne Maman jams as being made with "five simple ingredients that could be found in your kitchen" and without high fructose corn syrup, additives, or preservatives. And they mean it. Produced in France, Bonne Maman is made with natural ingredients, has no high fructose corn syrup, no artificial additives, and no added preservatives. In an era where you need a chemistry degree to read most ingredient labels, that simplicity hits different.

But let's talk about what's become a genuine cultural phenomenon: the Advent Calendar. Since 2017, Bonne Maman annually releases an Advent calendar featuring 24 one-ounce jars of special edition jams, and people lose their minds over it. Very quickly, the jams took off as a cult-favorite, selling out long before December and even hitting resale markets. There are literally Facebook groups dedicated to discussing these tiny jars of jam. That's the kind of brand loyalty most companies dream about.

The product line has expanded beyond just preserves, too. With over 25 flavors of Preserves, Jellies, Spreads and Curds, there's always another Bonne Maman moment to discover. They've ventured into hazelnut and peanut chocolate spreads, pie fillings, and even tartlets. Each product maintains that same commitment to quality ingredients and traditional French recipes.

Here's something interesting: We prefer natural, recyclable and reusable packaging, such as our iconic glass jars that are perfect for upcycling. Those jars have basically become craft supplies in their own right-people use them for everything from spice storage to DIY candles.

The brand operates through Andros Foods USA, Inc., and while they're a major player in the preserves game, they've managed to maintain that artisanal, small-batch vibe. It's mass-produced, sure, but it doesn't taste like it. And in the specialty foods world, that's basically the holy grail.