j is jelly vs jam

Originally I wanted to write a 'J' post on jurisdiction - the laws and police are very different in America, but it's Friday and if you're anything like me, your mind is already on the weekend so I thought a post that was more fun and didn't require that much brain power was in order.  Hence, jam vs jelly.

If you look the word jam up in an American dictionary (or simply on American Google) it is defined as: a verb for the action of squeezing or packing tightly; another for becoming stuck; a noun synonymous with 'paper jams' in a machine or a gathering of musicians who improvise together.

While we also use all those definitions, the most common jam noun in Australia is defined as a sweet preserve made from fruit and sugar boiled to a thick consistency.  To an American, this would simply be called a preserve or (very logically) fruit spread.

mmmm chunky and spreadable

 Americans also have something called jelly: this is a type of jam/ preserve/ fruit spread that has a smooth consistency, free of any chunks whatsoever.  I don't know that there is an Aussie word for this... or even if it exists!  Perhaps it's a blasphemous concept?  Does everyone like the fruit chunks in Australia?  Hmmm...  Maybe it's like ying and yang... can't have one without the other/ can't have jam without fruit chunks!

can't spread it on bread so just eat it with a spoon,
but mmmm... so smooth

Moving on, in Australia jelly is a flavoured gelatin dessert, most commonly fruit flavoured.  And that's what Americans call Jello.  I seriously can't talk about jelly vs jello without thinking of the iconic JELLY ad in Australia (one that every Aussie kid knows at least as well as the Happy Little Vegemite ad).

Ahh memories!  Well I'm off, hope  you enjoyed this little bit of nonsense and hope you have a great weekend!