Preserves

In this section we’re talking about the savoury preserves – Chutneys, Pickles, Relishes, Ketchups and Flavoured Oils and Vinegars.

In an age when most things are available straight off the supermarket shelf, you may wonder why it is worth making your own but the fact is that commercially produced preserves always taste the same. They’re worked to absolutely standardized recipes that have been tried and tested to have the most appeal to the average customer. If your taste is for something spicier or fruitier, you make your own and can have exactly what you want.

As well as the freedom to experiment to suit your own taste, the main reason is simply quality. You can buy good quality products but you have to look hard and long to find shop produced preserves that are nearly as good as those you can make yourself  - and you’re totally in control of the ingredients.

Secondly, cost. Often the base for the product has cost next to nothing. For example, if you grow shallots, they make exceptional pickled onions for little more than the cost of the vinegar.

Thirdly, choice and individuality. As said above, when you buy from a shop not only are you limited to what they stock but the products they do stock have been developed to please an average palette. Your own tastes will differ and you can cater for yourself. If you like a bit of zing in your pickle you can add a chilli, if you like a lot you can add three!

Lastly, but not least, it’s fun and amazingly satisfying to make something yourself. To some degree it is a scientific process and when you start out it’s best to stick exactly to the recipe but, as your skills and feeling for what you’re doing develops, you begin to adapt and create your own recipes as you build on your understanding of the processes involved.