It is tough to find a decent locally made jams, mainly because the ones you come across tend to be full of sugar, which takes away from the actual flavour of the fruit. However, ‘Yummy Goodness’, produces some of the finest jams and chutneys.

Yummy Goodness makes some of the best jams and chutneys using some unusual fruits that you wouldn’t ordinarily find in the supermarket. If you are like me, and like to explore various options in the dishes you make or just nibble on something different, the various jams and chutneys made by Chevonni Amerasekera, the lady behind Yummy Goodness, is just what you’ve been looking for.

Her jams and jellies include Katu Lovi Jam, Lovi Jam, Lovi Jelly, Jambu Jelly, Star Fruit Jam, Damson Jam and Mulberry Jam. She also has a range of unusual marmalades like Wild Orange & Kumquat Marmalade, Kumquat Marmalade, Marmalade (The Original) and Brandylade (a brandy infused Marmalade), while if chutneys are your thing, she makes Amberella Chutney, Papaya Chutney, Tamarind Chutney as well as Billing & Date Chutney.

When you think jam, your immediate thought would be to have it on toast or in a sandwich, but this doesn’t have to be the case. The uses of jams can range from spreading some over a cream cracker or putting a dollop or two on some fresh vanilla ice cream or even as a  marinade. Some marmalade into a good chicken curry can just lift the taste of the curry that much more. It is the same with chutney as it can be had alone, with some cream crackers or go into a marinade for your Sunday Roast.

“Food has always been an inspiration,” Chevonni says. “My fondest memories of my childhood use to be my mum cooking and making jams,” she says adding, that it was this love for all things tasty that led Chevonni to try out her mum’s recipes. “I would just make stuff and people really liked what I made,” she said and went on to explain that she decided to dive into this full time in September last year and by December 2013 – three months down the line, she had so many orders that resulted in her being busy almost 24/7! She adds that most of the fruits used for her products are sourced from her own estate.

The thought of Papaya Chutney might seem like an alien one but try it with some cream crackers and cheese or even with your rice and curry – it is just delicious. It has a crunchy texture while the spices and chilli are not overpowering in the least.

I also really loved Chevonni’s Katu Lovi Jam – It’s sour and sweet at the same time while the rich colour with its hint of red and purple make it a delight to just look at. You could have it with some melted butter on toast – there really is nothing quite like it. Chevonni says that the closest comparison to this jam would be cherry jam but I feel it really is a taste apart. Her Jumbu Jelly is also ideal to spread on a cream cracker and just nibble on if you crave for that mid-day snack!

Marmalades are not my most favourite of spreads but Yummy Goodness makes a delicious Kumquat  Marmalade. With its lovely yellowish colour and that slight hint of an almost minty flavour it really is something else.

Chevonni’s products are all-natural and contain no artificial flavours or colours. She is extremely particular with regard to keeping things fresh and maintaining cleanliness and quality. “If you store the jams or chutneys in a cool, dry place, and place them in the fridge once opened, and use a clean dry spoon every time you dig in, an opened bottle can last between six to 12 months,” she says confidently.

Her products are not available in supermarkets at the moment so for more details check out the Yummy Goodness Facebook page
 

Yummy Goodness products can be found at the Good Market from today (February 20) onwards.

 

Text by Natasha Fernandopulle
Pics by Kanishke Ganewatte