​July is one of the most fruitful (pardon the pun) times of the year for British growers, with a large range of delicious crops ready for picking. As things ripen on the allotment, in the greenhouse or even in the garden, it’s easy to end up with a  glut of one thing that leaves you scratching your head with how to use it all before it goes bad. As always, we’ve got some preserving, pickling and producing ideas to help you make the most of this season’s crops.
Artichokes
There are so many delicious uses for this earthy vegetable, whether it’s putting them on a pizza, grilling them on a BBQ or chopping them into a salad. One of the easiest ways to preserve them is to submerge them in olive oil, antipasti style which allows them to maintain their rich flavour and to be pulled out of the cupboard at a moments notice. As artichoke hearts are fairly large, you’ll need a spacious jar, such as a Bormioli Rocco jar to hold it. Simply pop your artichoke in, submerge in oil and add any additional flavourings you’d like before sealing.

Berries
July is the prime time for picking British grown berries such as strawberries, gooseberries and early variety raspberries all of which make delicious jams! Making jam couldn’t be simpler and all it requires in it’s most rudimentary form is your berry or berries of choice and some jam sugar. For smooth jams, puree the fruits and strain to remove large lumps and seeds before boiling rapidly with the sugar. Lumpier jams can be formed from putting whole or partial fruits in with the jam and cooking in the same way. Make sure you’ve got enough jars for your batch – red spotty lid hexagonal jars are one of our favourites!
​
Fusion Infusions!
As well as many varieties of fruit, this month is also a great one for herbs and when the two combine, they make the perfect pairing for infusing white spirits. Whether it’s gin, vodka or rum, pop in your fruit and your botanicals, reseal and simply leave to infuse for a minimum of 1 month. These make great gifts and look absolutely divine in our swing top bottles. 

With harvest season just starting off, those with a penchant for preserving are readying their jam pans and stocking up on sugar, ready to turn this year’s fruits into flavoursome spreads! Whether you’re making traditional flavours like strawberry and raspberry or being more adventurous with obscure flavours like rhubarb and ginger, our glass jars with lids come in a range of shapes, sizes and styles to compliment your flavour creations.

Square Jars
Square jam jars with lids are by definition, flat on all sides making them more efficient for maximising fridge or cupboard space so work well for those making big batches for personal use or gifting at a later date. We stock these jars in a range of sizes including 130ml, 220ml and 282ml and with a range of lid options depending on your personal tastes.

Round Jars
Rounded in shape and featuring the classic twist off lid, round glass jars with lids are the traditional shape used for jams and are also a good choice for other types of preserve. Our range starts at the miniature sized 82ml perfect for ‘hotel’ style jams, going all the way up to half a gallon which is ideal for commercial kitchens or home food operations.

Hexagonal Jars
Quirky to look at and with features of both the round and square jars, these glass jars with lids come in 45m, 55ml, 110ml & 190ml sizes. The miniature versions are great for wedding favours and can be purchased in multiple pack sizes depending on your guest lists and can be purchased alongside gift tags that are styled with ‘love birds’ on the front.

Decorative Jars
For those looking for a jam jar solution that is truly unique our range of decorative jars includes globe jars, honey jars and Bormioli Rocco jars all of which are stand out in their styles. 

Whether you’ve grown it yourself or just bought it from a supermarket, seasonal fruit and vegetables are one of the easiest ways to eat sustainably. However, with the magic of our budget glass jars, you can turn that in-season veg into a preserve, chutney, jam, soup, marinade or sauce and enjoy it outside of the season for months to come. If you want to enjoy delicious, sustainable fruit and veg in this way, then we’ve got a recipe for each month using some of the most readily available ingredients.

May - Rhubarb
Rhubarb is an extremely trendy flavour at the moment and this hardy fruit has a variety of uses. Versatile in flavour and cooking methods, rhubarb can be used in sweet and savoury dishes and is a standout flavour that is sharp but sweet. A firm favourite recipe is a rhubarb curd that is tinged pink and tastes absolutely sensational on toast, in sandwich cakes or dolloped into porridge. Simply puree the rhubarb and sieve to get the juice, add sugar and lemon juice before bringing to the boil, remove from the heat and stir in the butter and eggs before pouring into one of our budget glass jars.

June – Beetroot
Another versatile ingredient, beetroots are full of vitamins and minerals and help to support healthy immune function, so getting them into your diet is always a good thing. This vibrant veg is delicious when pickled and will absorb all of the flavourings you choose to accompany it with in a budget glass jar. Simply chop beets into small pieces and then bring a brine solution of white wine vinegar, sugar and salt to the boil. Toast any spices you may want to add such as mustard seed, star anise or cardamom and add these into the vinegar solution, before pouring over the beets and sealing the jar.
​
July – Berries
July sees lots of different sorts of berry come to fruition, including some varieties of raspberry, strawberry, blueberry and gooseberry all of which make delicious jams. Making these delicious preserves couldn’t be easier, simple sterilise our budget glass jars, mix together equal parts fruit and sugar and gently boil away until a splodge dropped onto a cold plate forms a ripple.  

At the moment we’re all trying our best to reduce the amount of time we spend outside the home, which means making fewer trips to the shops for essentials like food and cleaning products. To minimise interactions with supermarkets, market stalls and greengrocers, many are keen to make what they do have at home go that little bit further, whether it’s freezer stocks, fresh produce or even cosmetics. Using a range of jars and bottles can help extend the shelf life of products and encourage economic use.

Food Control
Jars and bottles with lids offer a fantastic, airtight storage solution that doesn’t take up much shelf space. The insulating materials make them ideal for room temperature and cold storage and so a variety of foods can benefit from being stored in jars. Some of our top tips for making food go further is to create jam jar portions of breakfast items such as overnight oats, cereals or fruit pots which can keep in the fridge for up to 7 days. This can also be useful for lunchtimes, with salad pots and soup being an easy go-to for those home workers, not only will this help extend the life of fresh fruit but can also help limit aimless snacking!

Making the Best of The Freezer
When it comes to preserving food, the freezer is a godsend. Whether you’re looking to use up some frozen fruits and veggies to make a delicious pasta sauce, chutney or jam or you want to freeze some portions for use at a later date, glass jars and bottles will keep produce from being exposed to the harsh cold and will keep your meals in easy to defrost portion sizes. Not to mention, by sealing food off from the intrusion of air, both in and out of the freezer there is less chance of bacterial growth and so the jar can be safely defrosted while you’re out of the house.
​
If you’re looking for jars and bottles to help preserve your stocks, take a look at our online store.

Spending time at home means looking for new ways to keep busy and indulging in some crafts using jam jars can make light of idle hands. Whether it’s ideas to keep the children occupied or the time has finally come to practice a new skill, our range of jam jars open up a world of possibility for crafters new and old! As avid jam jar enthusiasts, over the years we’ve turned our hand to a number of hobbies and we’re sharing some of the best so you can enjoy your time spent in the house.

Candle Crafting
Making candles is a rewarding and very wholesome craft that isn’t nearly as difficult as people think. Any jam jar can be used for this craft from miniature round jars through to large hexagonal jars and candles will look quirky and cute in all of them – just choose a style that you prefer. Other things you will need include wicks and wax and if you so desire colourings and scents. Start by sticking a wick into the bottom of the jar, holding it in place with a crocodile clip or pair of chopsticks across the top. Then melt down your wax with colourings and scents and poor in, leaving to set for at least 24 hours.

Cake Jars
One of the latest trends on the food scene is cake jars, delicious layered creations eaten out of a jam jar. Most recipes go for a trifle like effect using a sturdy cake or biscuit base, followed by a creamy layer and then finally a layer consisting of sweet treats, repeated as many times as the jar’s height will allow. The kitchen enthusiasts out there can spend time carefully baking, whipping and piping each layer into their jar, or for a quick and easy kids craft, simply buy the different elements and have the kids assemble them!

Cocktails
Staying in the house doesn’t have to be boring and this craft is one of the more adult ones that can be completed with a jam jar. Learning to make your favourite cocktail is a simple as a quick Google search, or if you’re more adventurous, simply make your own up from the supplies you have in the back of the cupboard. A jam jar cocktail can give the feel of being in your favourite bar and can instantly transport you to a tropical haven. A quran-tini if you will! 

Packaging and wrapping are never more in the spotlight than in December and whether you’re a business looking for some limited-edition festive packaging or just your average Joe looking to make an impression with your Christmas gifts, we’ve got some gorgeous gift wrap solutions!

Holiday Hampers
Nothing says ‘it’s Christmas’ quite like a holiday hamper filled with delicious festive treats, be it chutney, biscuits or mulled wine. Fill a festive reindeer tray with your chosen delicacies and wrap with clear cellophane, sealed tastefully with ribbon for a holiday hamper that is a treat for all of the senses. If you are a jam, chutney or food producer/manufacturer our trays come in small, medium and large sizes, so you can offer your range of products in several of arrangements.

Beautiful Boxes
If you’re looking for a more concealed packaging solution for your festive wares, our gift boxes are available in Christmas tree or mistletoe print and look divine with some shred inside. Boxes are perfect for gifts that are likely to sit under the tree before the big day, obscuring what is inside and increasing the satisfaction the receiver gets when they finally see what is inside. Fill with sentimental sweets, miniature bottles, smellies or cosmetics for a stocking filler that is bound to please.
​
Sweet Cellophane
If you’ve got many a stocking to fill at Christmas, there’s no denying it can be an expensive period, but we’ve got just the ticket. Buying in bulk often works out to be a more financially viable option, so why not buy some smaller gifts in large quantities and divide them into individual gift bags? Our Made with Love Cellophane Bags have a little window showcasing what’s inside and even have a section to fill out as a gift tag – saving you even more money!

​Christmas is edging nearer, and excitement is filling the air! If you’ve grabbed the festive bull by the horns and are fully immersed in the holiday mood, then Christmas crafts are probably already scheduled into your calendar. If you’re not quite jingle belling away just yet, then cracking out the crafts is sure to get you in the spirit. We’ve got some family-friendly ideas as well as some alcoholic adult ones so the whole family can join in!
 
Snow Much Fun 
Snow globes are a classic Christmas decoration that evokes nostalgia no matter what your age. While traditional globes contain festive characters like snowmen, trees and robins, it’s simple and easy to make your own using whatever you like. The most important component of a home-made snow globe is a jam jar, globe-shaped works well but any shape will work. Start by glue-ing your chosen objects to the inside of the jam jar lid, it’s best to use Christmas cake decorations or old tree ornaments that are made from wood or plastic. Next, fill your jar about two thirds full of water and then add a few drops of glycerine to help you ‘snow’ float. Sprinkle some glitter or polystyrene balls into the water solution and once your lid scene is dry simply submerge it into the water and tightly screw on. Shake up and enjoy your new decoration!
 
Tipsy Tree Decorations 
If you’ve ever made biscuits or sweets to hang on your tree, it’s likely that the bulk of them ended up eaten within a few days, particularly if there are children in the house! Well, we think it’s about time that the adults got a look in on the tree decorations, with a tasteful tipple. Our miniature bottles can be filled with any store-bought liquor of your choosing and tied to a tree or if you’re bottling last year’s batch of sloe gin, why not show off the fruits of your labour in festive style!

While October is famed as pumpkin season, most people will only recognise this fleshy squash as a Jacko’ lantern, carved in spooky designs, displayed for Halloween and then discarded. But there are plenty of more tasty ways to use a pumpkin, whether you’ve got one leftover from Halloween or have cultivated one on the allotment. Why not try our spiced pumpkin jam recipe!
​
Pumpkin and Ginger Jam Recipe
While jam is usually associated with summertime berries that are tangy yet sweet, pumpkins differ in size and colour, but they are actually relatively sweet, making them the perfect flavour base for a smooth and silky jam. With pumpkin spice all the rage you can be bang on trend with our pumpkin and ginger jam recipe which makes three 500g jars with just a single pumpkin!
Ingredients

• 1 pumpkin (1kg approx.)
• 1kg granulated sugar
• 1 lemon
• 5 – 7cm piece of ginger

Method

1. Peel your pumpkin and remove the seeds. You can either place these in the compost heap, garden waste bin or you can clean the seeds and plant them for next year’s harvest.
2. Weigh out a kilo of pumpkin flesh and then chop up into 1-2cm cubes using a sharp knife.
3. Next, cut the lemon into segments and remove the seeds.
4. Place the lemon, pith and skin included into a food processor and blitz into a puree. The lemon adds pectin to the jam which helps it to set, but if you prefer you can omit the lemon and use pectin or jam sugar instead.
5. Peel your ginger and chop small. If you want a smooth jam, grate your ginger or if you prefer chunky, chop roughly into small pieces.
6. Place the pumpkin and into a pan with the sugar and heat over high heat.
7. Stir in the lemon, ginger and bring to a rolling boil.
8. Simmer for 30 minutes, making sure to stir frequently, until the mix is set. The pumpkin should become translucent but still hold its shape.
9. Ladle your hot jam into sterilised jam jars and seal!

September is a chaotic time for the home-growers, jam makers and pickling people, with many of the most popular fruits and veggies coming into season & leftover produce from the summer harvest to attend to. It’s easy to end up with an abundance of seasonal fruits including apples, tomatoes, artichokes, cucumbers, summer berries and celeriac to names but a few! But don’t get bogged down about eating them all, we’ve got some delicious ways to extend the life of your goodies.

Change up Your Chutney!
During the tail end of tomato season and with apples ready to harvest, September is the prime time to create these much-loved chutneys. But while these 2 variations are delicious and timeless, there are other fruits you can use to craft a truly creative chutney! Use autumnal stocks of pear, rhubarb or grape for a sweet twist on a classic. If you’re planning on storing the chutney or gifting it at Christmas make sure you use sir tight chutney jars to prevent tainting and keep your goods at their best!

Perfect Your Pickle
With cucumbers ready and waiting to be plucked from their plants, it’s an ideal time to perfect your pickles. Using a simple preserving recipe of vinegar, salt and sugar simply slice up your cucumber into batons and place it in the solution and after 24 hours you’ll have tangy, crunchy pickles ready to toss in a salad or just eat straight out of the jar. For easy access and fridge storage, a clip top jar is recommended and will prevent other aromas from the fridge from interfering with the taste.
​
Bring on the Booze
As the end of the summer berry season, you may have some less than perfect fruits laying around that you need to use up. Pop them into a bottle with your favourite spirit and a bit of sugar for a fruity drink that will have you feeling like it is summer all over again! 

Summer is a busy time in the wedding calendar and with hot weather, beautiful blue skies and flowers in full bloom it’s easy to see why this season is popular with those getting hitched. With such a lovely backdrop to your big day, it’s important that everything ties in with the summer theme, including your wedding favours. So how can you make sunshine inspired wedding favours?
​
Refreshing Welcome Drinks
With the sun (hopefully) beating down on your big day, it’s vital that your welcome drink option at your reception is refreshing, particularly if you’re hosting some of part of the day outside. There’s nothing more refreshing and thirst quenching on a hot summer’s day than a good old-fashioned gin and tonic, and with gin top of the trends, it’s a sure-fire crowd pleaser. A G&T station is a good way to go, simply store your gin in single serving size mini bottles, place on a table beside a selection of tonics and high ball glasses and decorate sparingly with fruity and floral garnishes!

Sweet Station
Sweets are a popular favour at weddings at anytime of year and they’re a hit with adult and children alike. Using a large clip top storage jar to store a selection of colourful sweets will not only be delicious but will double as an attractive decoration at your chosen venue. Alternatively, you can create a jar per table for a quirky centre piece that leaves a good taste in the mouths of the guests!

Practical Partyware
While many choose to host their receptions in a marquee or at least partially outside in the summer months, doing so can create certain impracticalities on the day. For one, glassware is much more likely to be broken if it should fall to the ground, and the clear up of such an incident can be tasking, leaving dancers and children at risk of an injury. Instead, opting for plastic partyware can alleviate this problem and when coupled with a colourful paper straw, creates the perfect summer aesthetic.