HANDMADE BLACKCURRANT JAM IS “SIMPLY THE BEST”

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Super Fruit Combines Great Taste and Health Benefits 

The finest quality handmade blackcurrant jam from Queens Park Preserves is proving a real hit with the public. Sales are booming this year as word spreads about the quality of this artisan preserve. It has a deep, rich flavour which keeps people coming back for more! Whether used on toast in the morning, on scones with clotted cream at tea-time or as the filling for a classic victoria sponge one thing is certain, this one really hits the spot. Blackcurrants are probably best known for their use in Ribena, with over 95% of British blackcurrants being used to produce the soft drink. We source our fruit from a single award winning Herefordshire farm who were awarded the accolade of ‘Soft Fruit Grower of the Year’ in 2013 and are major suppliers to the producers of Ribena.

handmade blackcurrant jam - Queens Park Preserves

blackcurrant jam - Queens Park Preserves

 

 

Blackcurrants are recognised as a superfruit. They are also associated with bringing many health benefits. It is not widely recognised that blackcurrants are more than three times as rich in vitamin C as oranges. They are also rich in antioxidants. The highly respected Blackcurrant Foundation, reported recently that studies have shown blackcurrants can help reduce levels of cholesterol, boost immune systems and help guard against joint inflammation and kidney stones. There are also beneficial effects for asthma sufferers. So the handmade Blackcurrant jam from Queens Park Preserves not only gives you great flavour and enjoyment, it may improve your quality of life too.

 

STRATFORD FOOD FESTIVAL ‘AT THE RACES’

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Stratford Food Festival welcomes Queens Park to ‘Sport of Kings’

stratford food festival at the races

Horse gallop past the winning post at Stratford Racecourse

The weather is set fair for the start of the 2014 Stratford Food Festival. Held over three days from Friday 30th May to Sunday 1st June this event really is an extravanganza for food lovers. For the second consecutive year it is being held at Stratford Racecourse, but this year it takes place alongside live national hunt racing. There are seven race jumps cards on both Friday and Saturday evening, so this really is a great opportunity to combine picking up some wonderful artisan food with a day at the races. Admission to both events costs just £10 for adults on Friday and Saturday (accompanied under 18’s are free) with no admission charge for the Sunday of the Stratford Food Festival. Queens Park Preserves can be found at stand 3 in Exhibition Tent A, right next to the course itself. We look forward to meeting old friends from the past two years and also lots of new customers. Festival trading hours are 4pm-9pm on Friday, 1pm-9pm on Saturday and 10am-4pm on Sunday.

 

SPICY PRESERVES FROM QUEENS PARK

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“SPICE UP YOUR LIFE”

Queens Park Preserves are looking to add a little heat to late Spring with two of our mouthwatering spicy preserves. With the weather taking a turn for the better and the barbeque season approaching  it seemed the ideal time to take a closer look at these two taste bud tinglers.

Spicy preserves -Queens Park Preserves Chilli jamChilli jam has been our best selling product for the past two years. It is made with fresh chilli, dried chilli, red bell peppers and smoked paprika. This is not designed to blow your head off and we would describe it as having medium heat and a subtle, refined, slightly smoky flavour. It is probably our most versatile preserve with an almost endless number of uses. Sublime as an accompaniment to cheese and crackers. So simple and yet so right! One of our favourite ideas is to use it as a glaze on salmon fillets. Just spread a layer onto the fillet before cooking in the oven. The chilli jam infuses into the salmon and is really delicious. Keep an eye on the recipes page for more ideas soon.

Spicy preserves - Queens Park Preserves Hot Spicy Onion chutneyQueens Park Preserves Hot Spicy Onion chutney is our most fierce offering. Each jar is packed full of flavour combined with real heat. We use more chilli in this chutney than in our chilli jam! When this is combined with mustard seed and black pepper it produces a fearsome combination. The flavour comes from our spice mix which includes cumin, coriander, ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Throw in a little balsamic and white wine vinegar and the rest is in the slow cooking. This chutney works well on barbecued meats, especially sausages. It will certainly liven up a burger and it is also the perfect side dish to serve with curry. Just add poppadoms and enjoy this king of spicy preserves.

 

SHOW LOCATIONS OVER SPRING BANK HOLIDAY

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As previously promised we now have further precise details on Queens Park Preserves shows over the Spring Bank holiday weekend. On Saturday and Sunday we are exhibiting at the Hertfordshire County Show at the showground in Redbourn. This two day event attracts 38,000 visitors and is open to the public from 8.30am to 5.30pm on both days. We have our own gazebo at this event (Trade stand no. 044), located next to the Food Hall on Fifth Avenue. This is very close to our location in 2013 so you know whwre we are if you purchased from us last year!

Highclere Game and Country Fair

Highclere Castle

On Sunday and bank holiday Monday we are also trading in the beautiful setting of Highclere Castle in West Berkshire. This estate was the setting for the award winning Downton Abbey and this really is a stunning location. The Highclere Game & Country Fair is open between 8.30am and 6.00pm both days. You can find us in the Food Festival marquee on Avenue C.

Bank Holiday Monday also sees us at the Surrey County Show in Stoke Park, Guildford. This major one-day event attracts 40,000 visitors and you can find us in our own gazebo at stand 332 on Avenue A. This is adjacent to the main Food Hall near the Red car park/entrance.

We have special multi-buy discounts on offer at all three events this weekend and you have the opportunity to taste some of our handmade preserves. As always we are offering our ‘buy now-collect later’ service, so that you enjoy your day at the show without carrying your purchases around with you.

Keep checking our website for further details of upcoming Queens Park Preserves shows in the coming weeks. We travel the length and breadth of the country to bring our handmade preserves to you.