In 1957, Ian Fleming wrote a jar of Tiptree Little Scarlet Strawberry Conserve into "From Russia with Love."
Bond had good taste. In many things. But particularly in jam.
The Little Scarlet strawberry is a tiny, intensely sweet variety, usually no larger than a 1p coin. Wilkin and Sons of Tiptree, Essex are believed to be the only commercial growers of this fruit anywhere in the world today. Every berry is grown on their farm, hand sorted, and cooked in small batches in traditional copper-bottomed pans using a recipe unchanged since 1885.
The result is a deep crimson conserve that tastes unlike any strawberry jam you have had before.
October is exactly the right time for this.
Tiptree Little Scarlet Strawberry Conserve, 6x340g, £27.69 →
And while we are on the subject of exceptional preserves, the Tiptree autumn collection has arrived. These are not year-round staples. They are the preserves that belong specifically to this season, made from fruit that only exists for a matter of weeks. Here are four worth knowing about.
Tiptree Crab Apple Jelly, from £3.69
The most British of all autumn preserves. Too tart to eat raw, the crab apple is transformed by slow cooking into something quite extraordinary. Clear, jewel-bright, and utterly delicious on toast or alongside a cheese board.
Shop Crab Apple Jelly →
Tiptree Blackberry Jelly, £3.52
Every hedgerow in the country was full of them a few weeks ago. Tiptree picked theirs at exactly the right moment. Rich, deep and properly autumnal.
Shop Blackberry Jelly →
Tiptree Victoria Plum Conserve, £3.94
Made with Victoria plums grown on the Tiptree farm, hand sorted and de-stoned before cooking. A full, deep, sweet conserve that makes October feel like a perfectly reasonable season to stay indoors.
Shop Victoria Plum →
Tiptree Lemon Curd, £3.89
Not seasonal, technically. But the perfect partner for scone season, which is now very much underway. Made with free-range eggs and butter. A jar that earns its place in any kitchen from September through to March.
Shop Lemon Curd →
Browse the Full Tiptree Collection →
Tiptree has been farming at Tiptree, Essex since 1757. No artificial colours. No artificial flavours. Just fruit, from the farm, the way it has always been done.
