Afternoon Tea with Scones and Nanny Violets Jams

I have just opened the most beautifully presented Valentine’s gift. It is a mixed selection of mini jams and chutneys which I have received free to review from Nanny Violets Jams.

Nanny Violets Jams. What a fab name. It brings back memories of helping to pick fruit or stir the jam as a child when my mum made a batch. All jars were always saved for jam. And both my grandma’s used to make all their own jam. There is always something special about the taste of homemade jam compared to that from a factory.

So let me share what I’ve been told about Nanny Vi. She is 99 years old and I can see on Facebook that it is less than a month until her 100th birthday. You may see some lovely photos of Nanny Vi too – one from the family album each day during the countdown. She was taught how to make preserves by her father during World War Two and wrote the recipes in her large black recipe book.  4 years ago Vi’s grandson Shaun found her recipe book and wanting to make homemade gifts that Christmas, asked Nanny Vi to show him how. The following Christmas those who had received the produce the year before, asked for some to give as gifts themselves. Word spread and Nanny Violets Jams was set up by brother and sister Shaun and Jodie.

I opened the lovely box and inside I found the following selection.
Strawberry Jam
Raspberry Jam
Papaya Jam
Onion
Spiced Apple & Plum Chutney

As soon as I saw the jams, I knew there was only one thing to do. Bake some scones for an afternoon cream tea.

Scones
Ingredients

200g self raising flour
50g margarine
50g caster sugar
150ml milk

Method

Preheat fan oven to 200 degrees.
Sieve flour into bowl.
Add sugar.
Rub in margarine until very fine.
Mix in sufficient of the milk to give a soft but not sticky dough.
Add more milk if necessary.
Knead dough slightly.
Press dough out to about 2cm depth on a floured board.
Cut out scones (I used a 7cm fluted cutter).
Place on greased baking sheet.
Bake for 10 – 15 minutes near top of oven, until well risen, firm and golden brown.
Cool on a wire rack.
Serve with jam and cream.
Enjoy.

We then had a delicious cream tea with Nanny Violets Jams. Please can someone tell me which is the correct etiquette to spread your scones. Is it jam first or cream first? Not knowing, we all did it our own way. I of course had to sample all three jams. They were all gorgeous but raspberry was my favourite flavour.

And as for the chutneys, I served those with cheese and biscuits the next day. Again both were yummy.

The jams and chutneys were all really delicious, and apart from papaya which I am not familiar with, I could tell the flavours without looking at the labels. The combination of apple and plum together worked wonderfully in the chutney.

The Valentine’s selection of 5 mini jars currently retails for £10. They also sell a variety of size jars and their range of jams, jellies, marmalade, chutneys, relishes and pickles is extensive. You can find a link to their menu on Facebook. Everything is made in the Royal Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, and where possible grown there too, keeping the food miles down. I highly recommend Nanny Violets Jams. Go on, treat yourself or buy some as a gift. Place your order by sending them a message on Facebook. They also do hampers and baskets.

You may follow Nanny Violets Jams on Facebook or Twitter.

However I’m intrigued as to what the Plump Hill Projects mentioned on each jar label refers to? Maybe Shaun or Jodie can explain.

And one last thing. Let’s wish Nanny Vi a very happy 100th birthday next month. What a special day to look forward to.

Disclosure.  This post is a review of a product I was sent for free.  All opinions are my own.