It is without debate that locally produced food is superior. Undoubtedly, food from your local maker is healthier, tastes better, and is more nutritious.
When it comes to jams, jellies, and pickles, you might think that since it's not meant to stay fresh and they last forever, there's no difference in getting a locally produced one. However, this is not true.
Here are three reasons you should buy preserved local foods and why they're better.
Most people who make preserves try to use top-quality ingredients, including locally sourced fruits and vegetables. Which means they are probably fresher and taste better as well. This is a huge benefit!
On the other hand, many commercially made preserves use inferior ingredients to reduce costs. Sure, you save money now, but the long-term effects of consuming these low-quality ingredients are far-reaching.
When you make your jams, jellies, and pickles, you get to choose the ingredients. You can use fruits and vegetables from your garden or your local source. This ensures that you are getting an all-natural product.
The benefits of using locally produced fruits and vegetables are tremendous. They taste better and are more appealing, but they are also far more nutritious. They may even out-perform commercially made preserves.
Artisan preserves use seasonal and locally grown fruits and vegetables. This means that these ingredients need no pesticides or chemicals to be produced. This is very different from commercially made preserves. Everything is grown on massive farms that require vast amounts of pesticides and other chemicals to grow. The residues of these pesticides and chemicals can be found in the final product.
Locally produced preserves are typically made at home or in small batches at a local facility. This means that the use of pesticides and chemicals is limited. They also don't require the same amount of power and equipment as large-scale production.
Moreover, many commercial companies use a lot of additives and preservatives in their products, including refined sugars and artificial flavors. All these things can do more harm than good.
Using locally produced fruits and vegetables means you get the right combination of sweetness, acidity, and piquancy. You also get fresh, vibrant colors and the right amount of tartness. This makes your preserves that much more appealing.
These ingredients are also at their peak of ripeness when they are collected. This means that they have their most natural taste. Local production also allows for the use of more flavorful spices and herbs. This gives more interesting textures and more complex flavors.
The Ohio Artisan Collective, located at Aurora Farms Premium Outlets, is a gift shop and coffee bar. We feature Ohio artisan products including locally made jams, jellies, and pickles. Here you will find a wide range of items, food, and beverages, among other things.
