Description
The Rainha Cláudia (Greengage) Plum Extra Jam with Lemon Thyme is a creation with unique characteristics, combining the natural and delicate sweetness of greengage plums with the aromatic freshness of lemon thyme. This surprising contrast results in a balanced, fresh, and sophisticated jam that captivates through its lightness and unexpected flavor. More than just a simple jam, it is a distinctive sensory experience, internationally recognized and awarded by more than 200 chefs at the ITQI Superior Taste Awards 2015 in Brussels.
The herbal freshness of lemon thyme enhances the sweet and juicy character of the greengage plum, creating a flavor profile that adapts both to traditional cuisine and to more contemporary trends. It is an ideal jam for those seeking something different, elegant, and versatile, capable of elevating everyday dishes as well as gourmet combinations.
At the table, this jam opens up a wide range of creative possibilities. It pairs beautifully with fish such as salmon or tuna, sushi, and ceviche, adding a fresh and sophisticated sweet-and-sour touch. It is equally perfect in salads and vinaigrettes, where lemon thyme enhances the freshness of vegetables and greens. In meat dishes, it shines as a sauce for grilled pork, roasted duck breast, or beef steaks, creating intense and memorable contrasts. For adventurous palates, it also works wonderfully in chilled desserts, tarts, and recipes with strong cheeses such as Blue Cheese or Boffard Cheese (PDO).
Like all meia.dúzia® jams, it is produced artisanally in small batches of up to 40 kg, using selected fruits from various regions of Portugal, with more than 55% fruit and a reduced amount of sugar. It contains no additives or preservatives, preserving the authenticity of traditional methods. Presented in the award-winning tube packaging, it is practical, hygienic, and sustainable — made with more than 99.7% infinitely recyclable aluminum, ensuring freshness and reducing oxidation after opening. For best storage, it should be kept at room temperature and, once opened, refrigerated.
More than just a jam, this is an expression of Portuguese innovation: combining tradition and modernity in bold flavors, always with the signature of the Flavors of Portugal.
Usage Suggestions
This jam truly reveals its potential when paired with fish dishes and sushi. The freshness of lemon thyme contrasts elegantly with the richness of salmon or tuna, creating light, sophisticated, and aromatic combinations. In sushi and ceviche, it works as a distinctive element, adding a sweet-and-sour herbal touch that surprises the palate and transforms each bite into a gourmet experience.
In salads and vinaigrettes, this jam becomes a creative ally. When blended into light dressings with extra virgin olive oil and a hint of balsamic vinegar, it enhances the fresh flavors of vegetables and grilled greens, bringing depth and a unique aromatic profile. It also pairs beautifully with salads featuring nuts, fresh cheeses, or aged cheeses, where the mix of freshness, sweetness, and herbal notes creates a perfect harmony.
With meats, the Greengage Plum and Lemon Thyme Jam is a surprising complement. It’s ideal alongside grilled pork, where the natural sweetness of the plum balances the meat’s intensity, or in more refined recipes such as roasted duck breast or beef steak, creating elegant sauces with fruity and herbal notes. Its versatility allows it to be used both as a finishing glaze and in aromatic marinades.
In desserts, this jam shines in unexpected contexts. It is perfect in tarts with strong cheeses, such as blue cheese or Boffard (PDO), creating a refined contrast between sweet and savory. It also works wonderfully as a topping for artisanal ice creams, semifreddos, or panna cotta, adding citrus freshness and a delicate herbal note. For the more adventurous, it even pairs with dark chocolate, where the flavor contrast makes the tasting experience truly memorable.
Recipes / Chef
Ingredients
‘Rainha Cláudia’ plum (55%), sugar, lemon thyme (5%), gelling agent (pectin) and lemon juice. Prepared with 55 g of fruits per 100 g. Net weight: 75 g.
Nutritional Information
Average nutritional information per 100 g / 3.53 oz: Energy 773 kJ / 185 kcal ; Fats 0.1 g / 0.0 oz , of which saturated fat acids 0.0 g / 0.0 oz ; Carbohydrates 46.4 g / 1.6 oz , of which sugars 46.3 g / 1.6 oz ; Proteins 0.4 g / 0.0 oz ; Salt 0.0 g / 0.0 oz.
Origin of the Ingredients
This jam results from the meeting of the elegant sweetness of the Rainha Cláudia (Greengage) plum from Alto Alentejo and the aromatic freshness of lemon thyme, a vibrant herb cultivated organically. A fusion that unites terroir, history, and the authenticity of the Flavors of Portugal.
Rainha Cláudia (Greengage) Plum from Alto Alentejo
Grown in the interior of Alto Alentejo for centuries, the Rainha Cláudia (Greengage) variety has developed a unique specificity thanks to the ecological conditions of the region. Its perfect adaptation to the soil and climate allows for low-impact fruit cultivation, often without the use of pesticides, with orchards in ecological balance. The result is a plum with juicy pulp, fine sweetness, and contained acidity—ideal for jams with a clean and elegant aromatic profile.
The name Rainha Cláudia honors Claudia (1499–1524), daughter of Anne of Brittany and Louis XII, Duchess of Brittany and the first wife of King Francis I of France—a legacy that highlights the historical nobility of this variety.
Lemon Thyme
Belonging to the mint family, lemon thyme is a low-growing shrub with small gray-green leaves and a dry, delicate lemon aroma. Grown organically in Portugal, it reveals a more intense fragrance and defined flavor, enhancing the freshness of the jam.
Rich in micronutrients—calcium, fiber, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, and vitamins A, B6, and C—lemon thyme adds not only aromatic character but also nutritional value to the preparation.
From the Rainha Cláudia (Greengage) plum of Alto Alentejo, born from an ecosystem in balance, to organic lemon thyme, this jam celebrates origin, seasonality, and the artisanal know-how that define the excellence of Portuguese confectionery.
