Meghan Markle’s Apricot Spread Slammed by Champion Jam Maker Despite Selling Out Instantly
Meghan Markle’s latest product under her American Riviera Orchard brand may have flown off the shelves—but not everyone is impressed. The Duchess of Sussex is facing scathing criticism from a world-renowned jam expert who has labeled her apricot spread as nothing more than a “failed jam.”
Champion jam-maker Donna Collins, founder of The Jelly Queens and winner of over 40 international jam-making awards, has publicly called out Meghan’s newly released fruit spread, despite its immediate success in selling out within hours. According to Collins, what Meghan is proudly calling a “spread” is, in professional terms, what the industry deems a botched batch.
“It’s a real disappointment that Meghan is selling a fruit spread, which is what you make when your jam fails,” Collins told the Daily Mail in a no-holds-barred critique. “In the jam industry, a spread is what we call something that didn’t work.”
That’s a brutal verdict for a product that sparked a frenzy among fans and reportedly sold out in minutes. But Collins didn’t stop there. She dug deeper into the ingredient list of Meghan’s apricot spread and questioned the choices behind it.
The spread contains conventionally grown apricots, dried organic apricots, organic cane sugar, and fruit pectin. According to Collins, that alone raises red flags. “Why should she include conventionally grown apricots, which will have used pesticides?” she asked, suggesting that Meghan’s high-end, wellness-focused brand should be using 100% organic ingredients.
“And why is she using pectin, which is a gelling agent, unless it’s because her spread was too runny?” Collins added. “Most spreads don’t use pectin.”
To a seasoned jam-maker like Collins, these details suggest a product rushed to market without the kind of culinary precision expected from premium preserves. “There’s no excuse for this. It should be perfect,” she declared.
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The Duchess’s jam line, launched under her new lifestyle label As Ever (formerly known as American Riviera Orchard), has become a hot topic in both celebrity and culinary circles. While fans are scrambling to get their hands on each limited release—first raspberry, now apricot—critics are questioning the substance behind the hype.
Collins suspects that the rapid sell-outs may not be due to overwhelming demand, but rather a limited initial supply. “Her apricot spread sold out in minutes, just like her earlier raspberry spread, which may mean they only made a small batch,” she observed. “I don’t know who’s making her spread, but we all know it’s not Meghan. It sounds like they really don’t know what they are doing.”
This latest jab comes as Meghan attempts to reinvent herself as a domestic lifestyle entrepreneur, carving out a niche in the high-end food and home goods market. While her products have generated buzz, some experts believe they’re riding on royal curiosity more than culinary excellence.
Despite the criticism, supporters of the Duchess argue that her entry into the artisanal food space is a refreshing pivot—and that backlash is inevitable when a high-profile figure tries something new. But others aren’t so forgiving, especially those with decades of experience in the craft.
Whether or not Meghan’s fruit spread was a gourmet triumph or a glorified kitchen mishap remains up for debate. But one thing is clear: in the world of jam-making, reputation matters—and so does execution.
As Meghan continues to expand her As Ever brand, the pressure is mounting to deliver not just on style, but substance. Will the Duchess refine her next batch, or will critics like Collins keep stirring the pot? Royal fans and foodies alike will be watching—and tasting—closely.
