‘F’ is for Flavor

One of the most exciting things about selling at farmers markets is conversing with customers about the various flavors I offer; many reactions have been quite priceless. My favorite (and most memorable) is a toss-up between two…The first, an adorable 7 year old little girl that tasted the citrus fig with widened eyes and whispered to her mom, "Can I have this for my birthday present?" The second, a gentlemen's declaration of the citrus fig "This is so good I would eat it off of an ugly toe!" I was understandably speechless (and quite amused). Currently, my best sellers are blueberry sage, apple pie, and pineapple habanero. Balsamic grape is also popular (and my personal favorite) as are the other "berries;" raspberry plum & blackberry.

Many people inquire about how I develop such [insert descriptive word here] flavors. The answer: with great pleasure! Honestly, although many of the flavor combinations I use seem pretty obvious and natural to me, I do spend hours researching and brainstorming jam flavors. I have even been lucky enough to collaborate with various professionals including bar manager Paul Calvert of Sound table who inspired the creation of pineapple habanero jam for use in his rum-based beverage, The Gemini Handshake. It's also important to note that my friends and family are a great resource of candid thoughts, as are my many loyal customers. Bottom Line: I love the infinite flavor possibilities that inspire creativity and hours of fun. There are no rules, no mistakes, and no limits in my kitchen; It's an exciting place where the art of jam is redefined to fit 21^st century taste buds...and I'm always open to new ideas...