June Taylor Jams

I'm a sucker for jams, so I always end up with about 5 open in my refrigerator and another couple unopened in my cupboard. So when I read all the lovely-sounding flavor combinations at June Taylor Jams I was smitten. Blackberry and Lemon Verbena? Pluot and Lavender? Pears in Cassis? Candied Bergamot Peel? I ended up with Spiced Pear Butter, Tomato Ketchup and Fig, Port and Lemon Thyme Conserve.

The spice in the pear butter is pretty mild, but that just allows the fruit's flavor to dominate. All three of us were happy with it on top of our whole-wheat waffles this morning. My husband is a die-hard maple syrup fan, so that's saying a lot. There's a pear-vanilla combo that might be a little more exotic (vanilla exotic? what?) for a hostess gift.

The ketchup overwhelmed me with a fresh tomato flavor. I chose this one to find an alternative to grocery store ketchup with all the corn syrup, but that wasn't really the right role for June Taylor's ketchup. It's a much simpler flavor, sweet and tomatoey and a lot less acidic than mass market.

I haven't dug into the fig jam yet, mainly because I expect it to be my favorite. I've been trying to teach my 2-year-old how much fun it is to anticipate something fun or yummy. I know he's too young right now, but I want to share all my favorite things, like the delicious joy of waiting, with him.