How Sunchowder’s Emporia Changed My Outlook on Jam

There comes a time in your life when you realize you’re in love. Whether it be the moment you meet your future husband to be or in this case, when you taste Sunchowder’s Emporia jam. Yes, today we’ll be discussing the moment I fell in love with jam, specifically Sunchowder’s Emporia.

Who is Sunchowder’s Emporia? Founded by Wendy Read and currently out of Longwood, Florida, Sunchowder’s Emporia is a love child. No reference to Woodstock, but because you can sense the love Wendy puts into each and every jam. She had dabbled in jam making before and as an avid collector of cookbooks, decided that jam was her thing. Come 2008, she purchased her first copper pot and Sunchowder’s Emporia was born. P.S. She still cooks every single jam in copper pots, creates amazing flavor combinations, stirs them in with extra love and BY HAND, and packages them to look gorgeous and ready to be gifted.

And before I get into the flavors, just look at how fantastic the packaging is. Above is their classic label, with a shining sun and detailing the jam flavor, ass well as pointing out that there is NO Pectin, NO Corn Syrup, and NO Preservatives in the jam. A short list of ingredients finishes it off, with the website listed on the jar as well. There’s few things I love more than delicious products in even more delicious packaging and design; Sunchowder’s Emporia delivers both. The bright flavors in all the jams just shines through as the natural flavor of the fruit used. Nothing to cover it up, nothing to change it up. Wendy does a fabulous job in showcasing the seasonal produce in all its glory.

Below are three of my favorite jams from Sunchowder’s Empori, as well as some other I’m waiting to taste:

• Strawberry Jam – the classic strawberry jam, only a thousand times better. Most strawberry jams have chunks and tiny pieces of the fruit, but Wendy just over does it in the best way possible with WHOLE strawberries. They’re perfectly sized to fit on a Wheat Thin, but taste even better on buttermilk pancakes. FYI, I only eat pancakes if I have strawberry jam; no syrup, butter, or anything for me, thankyouverymuch.
• Strawberry Balsamic Jam – the color of this jam was crazy delicious, I swear. It was deep reds, almost wine-red, with a tinge of tart balsamic that paired wonderfully with the berry. Best pairing? Good ole Cheddar cheese.
• Peach Bourbon – the jam used in this recipe, it’s not so sweet, letting the natural peaches shine through; with the slight hint of bourbon at the finish, it makes for a perfect glaze.

These jams are waiting on the side lines ready for their turn in the Murray kitchen! I’m wanting to try the Pina Colada Jam in a base for a summery drink; Vanilla Fig Jam will be served on a cheese platter at a friend’s gathering; Tomato Jam will be slathered on a twist of a BLT one day for lunch; the Jalapeno, Apricot, Wildflower Honey Jam would be perfect as a condiment to a burger; and the Onion Jam would be fantastic whipped into cream cheese as a dip for football watching.

Where to purchase them? You can shop online for Sunchowder’s Emporia at Foodoro via this link and you can also tweet @Sunchowder for custom and special requests. Be sure to check them out on Facebook as well for updates on new jam, chutney, and pickle flavors! Oh and one more thing: Follow Sunchowder on Pinterest and drool over the deliciously pinned photos!

Peach Bourbon Glaze

Print Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ½ small shallot minced
• 1 small garlic clove minced
• 1 cup beef or chicken broth
• 3 tablespoons Sunchower's Emporia Peach Bourbon Jam
• splash of Jack Daniel's to taste

Instructions

• In a hot saucepan, saute the olive oil, shallot, and garlic until translucent.
• Add broth and reduce on high heat. Add Peach Bourbon Jam, whisk, and reduce until thickened.
• If desired, add a splash of your favorite bourbon and let the alcohol evaporate before serving.

Notes

Great served over roasted meats, grilled fish or chicken, or used as a dressing for roasted vegetables!

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Disclaimer: Sunchowder’s Emporia provided jams for review, but I was under no obligation to create a recipe with them. I just honestly love them more than any other jam I’ve tried!