Handmade in Vermont from locally grown ingredients, Potlicker Kitchen Jams & Jellies have been gracing our shelves for some time now, growing in popularity among jam lovers. The Potlicker blog is a constant source of inspiration, as Nancy and Walter Warner share their unique recipes for how to incorporate jams and jellies into more than just breakfast!
How did you start Potlicker Kitchen or get the idea for your product? The company began as a food blog turned canning addiction. I got the idea (and created my recipe for beer jelly) one night in the middle of winter when I was addicted to canning but I ran out of fruit! The carrot cake was developed not long after when I stumbled on a carrot marmalade recipe and just kept adding things to it like coconut & raisins.
What makes your product different from your competitors? Mostly because the clarity of flavors. The beer jellies have no filler and the flavor is true to the beer. My fruit jams are blended with herbs or spices and each flavor is well defined but not overpowering for a perfect marriage flavor that shows off the ripe fruit.
What’s your favorite food or food trend? My favorite food trend is definitely the salty sweet! It's right up my alley! Whether it is a salted caramel or grilled cheese and jam I want to try it.
How do you most often use your product? What was the most unexpected way of using your product? Like I said, Cheese & Jam. This is definitely the way I most use my product. I like to entertain with a cheese board and I never serve cheese (especially salty ones) without jam. It balances so well.
My second favorite and maybe the most unexpected use would be to glaze meats. Jams and Jellies add a natural fruit flavor with a bit of sweetness that caramelizes when cooked producing the most irresistible crunchy/chewy texture on the outside of a grilled piece of meat.
What’s next for your business? We are in a constant state of growth right now so it is really exciting! We are focused on a strong finish for the end of the year but we are also busy testing and tasting pickles, spreads & condiments because the ideas keep coming!