Lymington Dir AUGSEPT 22 (1) (1)

New Forest Artisans:
Jams & Preserves
Thesoiland climateofthe area, particularly along thecoast,isideal forthe cultivation of many
By Suzanne Ashworth
berries, with strawberriesbeing themostpopular. Sincethe 1800sstrawberrieshave been grown
andsoldinthispart of Hampshireand were once themainstay of some village’s life.Duringthe
pickingseason,childrenwereoftenmissing fromschool to join in theharvesting andrailway lines
were built to take thefresh fruit quickly to Londonand otherurban areas. Demand hasdropped
since the1960s when cheapimports flooded themarket, butanyonewho hastastedthe freshsun
-warmedlocal varieties would agreethattheycannotbesurpassed in sweetness, fragrance,and
taste!
Visitingalocalfruit farm is agreat dayout and
it is excitingfor children to experiencethe
excitement of lookingout theripenedberries
andtakingthemhometoeat or to enjoyona
picnic.91% waterand rich in vitamin C, iron
andpotassium berrieswill notcontinue to ripen
once pickedsolookout forthe readyones.
With atraditionallyshort season, fruit
preservation hasdevelopedalongside the
growing andthereare several artisan makers of
jamsand preservesinthisarea. Jams, jellies,
andmarmalades areheatedwithwaterand
sugaruntil“setting” occursdue to thepectin
contained (inapples, blackcurrants,and plums)
or added to thefruitsand then usuallystoredin
glass jars.Aftersugar duties were removedin
1874, theproductionofjams andpreserves
became abusylocalindustryinfruit-growing
areas.New Forest artisansare keeping this
productionalive with diverserangesofjams,
jelliesand savourypreservesusing locally
grownfruit andvegetables, includingtomatoes,
squashes, andzucchini. Theusual setting
temperatureisabout104 Cand traditionallyan
open panmethodisused. More commercial
productionusesvacuum vessels. Jams and
preserveswillkeepfor averylongtime until
unsealed.
by PaulineGoodall andIhave nottastedjam
likeitsince my Nanwas alive!The Goodall
family have farmed since1912 andare open for
pick-your-own fromlate May onwards(South
Baddesley Road, SO41 5SG).There is aseasonal
farm shop andPauline will sometimes have
some jam leftwhen they areonlystillselling
pumpkinsand Christmas trees, butmaybe get
some if yougotovisit to pick strawberries,
cherries,new potatoes, blueberries,
raspberries,blackcurrants,orredcurrants to be
surenow to missout.The availabilityofeach
fruit is updatedontheirsocial mediapages and
in thelocalpress …..
Once youhave tasted oneofthe locallymade
preserves, themass-produced supermarket
versions will just nottaste toogood–
Lymington’sGoodall’s strawberry farm hasa
limited amountofjam andmarmalades made
Please mention TheLymington Directorywhen responding to advertisements
Continued on next page
9