Whether it’s honey, jams, jellies, chutneys or pickles that tempt your tastebuds, Essex has plenty of preserve producers gifted in whisking up tasty treats out of nature’s wonders…
Mark Meadows, founder of Noochii Hives in Great Baddow believes beekeeping is a way for people to contribute and make a difference. 'After a low of 9,000 in the early noughties, the number of registered UK beekeepers is growing, and we’re nearing 50,000 in total now,' says Mark who started his company just over a year ago. He specialises in designing and making sustainable, beautiful beehives described what we were doing.’ When crafting his hives, Mark uses accoya, a modified timber which undergoes a process called acetylation, which preserves the wood in a similar way to how we pickle onions. It ensures the hives are protected against the elements and from insects, guaranteeing they’ll last for years to come, with minimal maintenance. The honey harvested from Mark’s hives is done so in small batches and is processed by hand. The end result is a lovely raw honey enhanced by tiny bits of pollen, wax and flowers, from as little as £3.50 per jar. noochiihive.com
The Jam Shed, Great Maplestead
This small family run preserves company, based in the rolling countryside of the Essex/Suffolk border, is loved for its range of jams, jellies, marmalades, cordials, and wines. Libby and her husband, Ted, started growing, picking, and preserving when Libby could no longer work as a management consultant due to illness. It reawakened a passion kindled in her as a child, brought up on a smallholding in Wales, being taught to cook by her mother whilst standing on a chair at the Aga. Time spent with Ted’s family on the remote, mountainous sheep farm in South Africa taught her different preserving techniques and how to make the best of seasonal fruits. The team at the Jam Shed still use Malin pans and make small batches of preserves at a time to ensure quality and they are always coming up with ideas for new flavours. You can find their mouthwatering creations at farmer’s shops, delicatessens and every month at the Bishop’s Stortford Farmer’s Market. the-jam-shed.co.uk
Pure Acacia Honey, Pure Bosco Honey, Citrus Honey, Chestnut Honey, the list of lip-smacking honey creations goes on. The team at Louisa's Honey may be small but they are certainly tasting the sweet smell of business success. The firm- founded by three friends during the pandemic- prides itself on selling a range of exceptionally high-quality, ethical honeys. Each of their products won a 2023 Great Taste Award and celebrity chefs, including Italian icon Gennaro Contaldo, can’t sing its praises enough. Louisa’s Honey only work with producer, Miele Vangelisti, who has been producing Italy’s finest honey since 1929. The range can be bought at John Lewis in Chelmsford as well as online and at farm shops and delicatessens across London and the south east. louisas-honey.com
Who hasn’t heard of this world famous family producers of quality preserve, conserve, liqueurs and spreads? They’ve been going since 1885 and have flourished ever since. The traditional fruits used to make the company’s conserves, condiment and other treats are all grown on the family farm in Tiptree. Of course, there are several Tiptree tearooms now where customers can enjoy all the delights created at the family farm and factory. Wilkin & Sons has been a proud holder of a Royal Warrant since 1911 and in 2010 it received a visit from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to mark 125 years of jam making at Tiptree. As The Queen walked through the jam factory she watched several processes that are still carried out by hand: destalking mulberries, spooning out the centres of oranges for marmalade and hand finishing Christmas puddings. tiptree.com
Something of a relish resistance is happening. Slowly but surely pickle shave progressed to a store-cupboard staple – a pleasing, even exotic accompaniment to sandwiches, meat dishes and snacks. Ian Beaird knows this. That’s why he founded The Stickly Pickle Company – his own artisan food firm selling painstakingly prepared home-made pickles and chutneys. Ian’s range of products include Mango Chutney, Piccallili, Spring Onion Chutney, Chunky Gherkins Slices, Pickled Red Cabbage and Beetroot Chutney to name but a few. Ian’s emphasis is on using local producers wherever possible. You can find Ian and his offerings at farmer’s markets, butchers and delis across Essex. stickypickleco.co.uk
