JAM PACKED WITH HISTORY

PIPPED AT THE POST

Fruit, of course, is the all-important raw material for any jam-makers and Laura and Tom have long relationships with some of Ireland’s finest growers. As well as berries from Pat Clarke, they get blackcurrants from Des Jeffer’s Ballykelly Farm and rhubarb from Pat Keogh. Both are local Wexford producers, so the fruit has a very short footprint and arrives as fresh as it can possibly be.

The raspberries and strawberries for their homemade jam are also gleaned from local farmers but the exotic oranges used to make the tart and savoury marmalade are imported from Seville, in the sun-baked Andalusian region of southern Spain. They are supplied by Gospa Citrus, a family business run by Amadora Gahona with her husband, José.

The person who looms largest in the history of Wexford Home Preserves is Tom’s aunt, Ellen O’Leary. The genesis of the company was in 1988 when Ellen began making small batches of jam with leftover fruit in Our Lady’s Island, Co Wexford. From Ellen they learned not only how to prepare the jam but how to monitor its progress and when it had reached the perfect consistency. A good jam can’t be too runny and it can’t be too thick.

You’ll find Wexford Home Preserves home produced treats, including their latest Simply Better cherry, blackberry and gooseberry creations at your nearest Dunnes Stores. While the business has expanded year-on-year, mass production was never the goal. “From day one with Simply Better, it was a marriage made in heaven. We complemented each other. They wanted what I was doing and I wanted to be involved with the Simply Better team, as well. It was a huge step forward for us.” From those original two products, they have expanded to produce around 15 different lines. Quiches include Barrel Aged Feta & Roasted Vegetable, Salmon & Broccoli, Gubbeen Chorizo & Potato, Irish Brie & Cranberry and Handmade Salmon & Broccoli.