Chase away your rainy autumn blues and relive summer this fall with Preserved BC Sunshine. Karin Brauch is behind the one-woman operation who makes these most flavourful and unique jams, jellies and preserves. She won me over with her Artisan White Wine Jelly Chardonnay at the Kits Farm Market this past summer, only to keep winning me over with her Figs with Eau de Vie and her various other condiments too.
Karin first started 10 years ago with a small vineyard in the Okanagan where she had over 40 fruit trees that all ripened at once. With only two days to utilize the fruit and not wanting to waste any of them, she preserved the fruit that didn’t go to friends and family, and the rest is history. Four years ago, Karin sold the vineyard and moved back to Vancouver, with her business based in Kitsilano, close the the Kits Farm Market. Her philosophy with her products is to use the freshest ingredients possible, very little processing and very little sugar.
Karin Brauch of Preserved BC Sunshine
“I’m really into healthy things, but I think we can eat healthy but it can be gourmet at the same time. So that’s kind what I’m trying to achieve: very local, gourmet, healthy but still yummy.”
She is one of those merchants I love who always greets you with a huge smile. She knows the quality of her food will shine through in the taste, so she encourages everyone to taste her products at her booth … and taste lots of them! What makes her tastings even more appealing is that she showcases particular items by pairing them with products sold by other merchants at the market. For instance, her Fig with Eau de Vie pairs beautifully with the brie cheese from Little Qualicum Cheeseworks. She also samples her berry jams with bread from A Bread Affair. In fact, Karin sources all her ingredients from the organic growers at the markets too. She believes in a sense of community and strong relationships and support of other businesses.
Figs with Eau de Vie and Hazelnut
Artisan white wine jelly chardonnay
Low Sugar Jam Award
Karin’s jams and jellies are so good, they’ve won awards at the PNE for “best low sugar jam,” “best berry jam” and “best other jam.”
My top 3 picks for fall:
1. Figs with Eau de Vie (available with and without hazelnuts). This spread goes well with most types of cheese like the brie mentioned earlier. Little Qualicum Cheeseworks samples their bleu claire cheese at their own booth with Karin’s fig preserve sometimes as well. This condiment goes well just plain on toast too.
2. Wild Blackberry Jam. This jam is reminiscent of late summer and is great too on some warmed bread and tea on a rainy fall day.
3. Artisan White Wine Jelly Chardonnay. The first layer of flavour is the refreshing white wine, which also is a great reminder of summer. Then your throat gets warmed with the chili peppers in the jelly. This is great with cream cheese on crackers and is perfect for autumn entertaining finger food.
Gift Packages
Can’t decide which one to get? Another great way to enjoy these condiments is by getting gift packs of three minis. They’re perfect for entertaining. Just put out the three condiments with bread, cheese and crackers with mini spreaders, and guests can try multiple flavours.
These gift packs will also be perfect for the upcoming Christmas season as stocking stuffers. In fact, Karin will conveniently be at the Christmas markets, specifically Deck The Hall, Steveston Christmas Market and the Vancouver Farmers Market Holiday Market.
Recipe ideas:
Karin is always willing to suggest recipe ideas with her customers using her products. One of her simple favourites is adding a spoonful of one of the chutneys to finish off plain fish.
She also does a great basmati rice salad with cooled rice, a few spoonfuls of chutney, some shredded chicken and peas all tossed together.
She also likes to use the red wine jelly to finish off sauteed mushrooms. Top that with some freshly-ground black pepper.
“Most of my condiments and wine jellies I do so people can enhance their own cooking, so kind of for the lazy gourmet cook.”
Rose and Lavender Sugars
Karin also features flavoured organic cane sugars. They go really well in baking or with black and herbal teas. They are available in lavender, rose and vanilla.
I asked Karin what’s in store for her for the future. She got really excited and shared that she’s always had an artistic side to her and even went to Emily Carr many years ago. She recently started doing pastels which she calls her “Kitchen Art” and will start selling them at the Christmas markets. This series highlights the beauty in food, something you could hang in your kitchen for daily inspiration. Watch for these!
The best way to get her products is to find her booth at the markets. Alternatively you can call her at 604-329-5362 or email her at info@preservedbcsunshine.com. She offers free delivery within Vancouver for orders over $100. A full listing of her products are on her website.
Markets you can find Karin at this fall/winter:
Preserved BC Sunshine Booth
Preserved BC Sunshine Booth
Deck the Hall
Saturday, December 3 to Sunday, December 4, 2011
11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Heritage Hall
3102 Main Street, Vancouver
Steveston Christmas Craft Fair
Saturday, November 26, 2011
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Steveston Community Centre
4111 Moncton Street, Richmond
Vancouver Farmers Market Holiday Market
Saturday, December 17, 2011
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Croatian Cultural Centre
3250 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Just a hint: I heard that the fig preserves are the biggest seller, so it may be best to call and see if she has any left and then put a bunch on hold for pick up at the markets. Just sayin’.
Cheers and good eats,
Silver
***I love showcasing local food establishments, food products, food services and food businesses and the amazing people behind them. I’m always looking for people to feature in my articles, so don’t hesitate to contact me; I’d love to tell your story!***
