PRODUCT: Jam For Inspector Clouseau
Jam in covert gift packaging. Photo courtesy Dept. Of Sweet Diversions. |
With popular television franchises like CSI, Law & Order and NCIS, detective culture has finally seeped into specialty food. The perps (actually, they’re the good guys) moved from Europe to Los Angeles to form their artisan jam agency (“a top secret covert organization”). Agent Copperpot hails from France, where she learned the craft of small batch jam making from both of her grandmothers. Chester Pinkerton, born and raised in Switzerland, is a professional illustrator. They created the Dept. of Sweet Diversions with a primary objective “to create delicious little diversions so you can treat yourself to something truly special.” Otherwise stated, their goal is to elevate the art of preserving to inspire people to try new fruit and flavor combinations. |
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They source local organic and/or sustainably grown fruit in bountiful southern California, and make jams, jellies, marmalades and fruit butters. (Check out the different types of jam and other spreads.) Most of the ingredients come from farmers markets within a 12 mile radius of their kitchen. The jam is made by hand in small batches using traditional techniques. Each flavor features organic ingredients and is completely free of preservatives. Nothing is processed (even the pectin is homemade). The pair are quick to note that “Breakfast isn’t the only meal of the day that should feature jam, it’s just the first!” Their jams pair exquisitely with fine cheeses, mixed into cocktails and served as a condiment with fish and meat dishes. But don’t stop there: Here are 20 of THE NIBBLE’s favorite ways to use fine jam. |
The current line consists of eight choices, available plain or in “covert” gift packaging.
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We devoured the contents with a spoon! Photo courtesy Dept. Of Sweet Diversions. |
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We received samples of Master of Disguise (tomato jam), Operation Peppercorn (strawberry balsamic), The Return of Mr. Bartlett (pear jam) and The Sanguine Seduction (blood orange). We’ll be ordering more of the delicious blood orange marmalade and tomato jam. We demolished the contents with a spoon! And we’ll be trying more flavors, too. A six-ounce jar is $12, or $14 with Top Secret gift wrap. Discover more at Dept.OfSweetDiversions.com.
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