World's Most Expensive Jam, world record in Viscri, Romania

November 15, 2025

Viscri, Brasov county, Romania--Gerda Gerghiceanu, 63, who lives in Viscri, where Prince Charles owns a 18th Century Saxon home, produces a luxury version of the bio jam crafts she made for two charities under the brand ”The Art of DAR”; a package including a luxury wood box with a hand crafted bottle filled with800g of jam, a Silver spoon and a certificate for five oaks on the land of the Barca Valley costs365 Euro ($415), which is a new world record for the World's Most Expensive Jam (Most expensive confiture) according to the World Record Academy.

The producer Gerda Gherghiceanu harvests herself the fruit of the forest from which it makes the jam containing strawberries, crocodiles or rhizomes. Fruits are prepared on wood fire, and the producer does not use preservatives, adding just a little sugar, taking care to always prepare small quantities to preserve the aroma of wild fruits.

The producer says she gets only 10 lei (Euro 2.12 or USD 2.41) for her world record jam, the rest going directly to the two charities involved and supports their projects, especially for promoting villages in the Brasov-Mures area and reforestation projects.

Fruits are prepared on wood fire, and the producer does not use preservatives, adding just a little sugar, taking care to always prepare small quantities to preserve the aroma of wild fruits.

The producer says she gets only 10 lei (Euro 2.12 or USD 2.41) for her world record jam, the rest going directly to the two charities involved and supports their projects, especially for promoting villages in the Brasov-Mures area and reforestation projects.

"I met Prince Charles three years ago (2011) when he visited Saschiz, the producer Gerda Gherghiceanu says.

"There was a special BIO products fair for him. I've also been with jams, but also other producers of traditional products such as meat and cheese. I offered him a jam of mine and liked it. However, he is a great gentleman and I do not think he would have said otherwise, even if he did not like it, " the Adevarul reports.

The product was designed by ADEPT Transilvania Foundation, Viscri, and Agapis Foundation in Zalău, and was launched on 22 October 2012 at the SIAL, Paris "Global Food Market".

Every buyer of the valuable jam receives 5 oaks on the Barca Valley, with the initiative of the community making possible the planting of 2,500 seedlings so far.

The jam comes with a massive silver teaspoon of the area, made by an artist from Turda. Only the value of the spoon is over 100 euros.

As well as the expensive 800g jam jars, Mrs Gherghiceanu and her husband Nicu also sell more reasonably priced homegrown fruit and vegetables, as well as poultry, pork and lamb, the Daily Mail reports.

Prince Charles' interest in Romania was sparked by his first visit to the country in 1998 and he has visited regularly since. He was said to be 'totally overwhelmed by its unique beauty and its extraordinarily rich heritage' after the visit.

The Prince has a keen interest in the history of the area and was particularly moved by the plight of Saxon villages in Transylvania, which were built centuries ago by German settlers who were encouraged to go there to help withstand Tartar and Turkish invasions.

"Viscri jam refers to the famous jams made in the Romanian village of Viscri, particularly those by jam maker Gerda Gherghiceanu. It gained international fame through its association with Prince Charles, who has a home in the village, and for creating what was once considered the most expensive jam in the world, sold in a luxury package. (AI Overview)

"The project supports local preservation and charitable causes, such as reforestation, by selling a high-end product that includes a silver spoon and certificate for planted trees, while also offering more affordable, locally made jams cooked over wood fire

The maker: Gerda Gherghiceanu is the most prominent jam maker associated with Viscri, creating both affordable and luxury versions.
Luxury version: A special luxury jam was launched in 2012 with a secret recipe, sold in a silver-wrapped jar with a silver spoon for €365. This high price was for a charitable project and included a certificate for five oaks to be planted in the local area.
Affordable version: Gherghiceanu also produces more affordable jams cooked on a wood fire with very little sugar, which are available for around €2 per jar.
Local tradition: The production of jams is part of a local tradition of preserving fruit and vegetables, with many women making preserves from their own gardens.
Economic regeneration: The jam, along with other local crafts, has become a symbol of Viscri's success in combining historic preservation with economic regeneration, a project supported by Prince Charles and local organizations like the Mihai Eminescu Trust.

"Viscri is a village in Brasov County. It is a UNESCO world heritage site. The village is located in comuna Bunesti. It is reachable from the villages Bunesti (6 km) or Dacia (8 km). These are accessible from the road that links Sighisoara and Brasov. Viscri is very close to Rupea. On maps you will probably only find Bunesti," the wiki voyages says.

"From Sighisoara an appointment can be made for a bus by calling ☏ +40 72 1176299. The cost is €15/person, minimum 2 persons. You can also take a taxi from Sighisoara train station to Viscri. It takes about a 45-minute drive. Hitchhiking from the main road should not be very difficult.

"Near the school and the post office there is a shop of the Association of Women from Viscri, where you can find handmade socks, hats, pottery and other traditional art and crafts. Every meal and every ingredient in Viscri is homemade, the only thing produced industrially in your meals will be oil and sugar."

Photos: World's Most Expensive Jam, world record in Viscri, Romania
(1) AgroBizness.md

(2) pov21.ro

(3,4) Agrobizness.ro

(4,5,6) Daily Mail

(7) ProTV.ro