Jams and preserves from the Island of Elba

In order to save the great deal of products from the family orchards and in this way avoid the fruit from going bad, in Elba as with in many other areas it was the usual custom for the people from Elba to prepare fruit jams, and preserves that they could eat during the winter.

In recent years, the fact that undergrowth products and family orchards were being re-discovered enticed some farms to fish out the recipes that for years had lain hidden in the grandmothers' bottom drawer of the bedroom chests of drawers and start making a wide choice of home made jams and conserves.

This is why today you can buy jams and conserves made on the Island of Elba that are based on original recipes.

The fruit is picked and then worked on by hand because this slow process means everything is completely natural and ensures the true flavour of the fruit remains.

You can choose from more traditional jams like apricot, peach, orange and strawberry to the more unique ones like persimmon or rum jam, apple jam, strawberry tree jam, quince jam, elba red wine jam, elder jam, chestnut jam as well as many other jams and preserves that go well with spices or even with wild herbs added to them like lemon verbena, rosemary and lavender.

A typical Elba tradition is also the preparation of mustards and jellies using the pulp of the fruit but also using home grown vegetables, perfect if eaten along with cheeses like cottage cheese, pecorino and soft cheese.

You will find all these delicacies in any of the best shops on the Island of Elba.