Jam is a sweet, spreadable preserve made by cooking crushed or chopped fruit with sugar, often with added pectin to help it thicken. It has a soft, thick texture and is commonly used on toast, in desserts, or as a filling. The history of jam dates back to ancient times, when civilizations like the Greeks and Romans preserved fruit with honey. In medieval Europe, jam became a luxury for the wealthy as sugar became more available through trade. Its popularity grew in the 16th and 17th centuries with the rise of sugarcane production, and by the 19th century, advances in canning and glass jar production made jam widely accessible.