The journey of Winnie's Original began with a deeply personal experience. The founder, Don, encounter with his grandparents in Jamaica awakened and invigorated his tastebuds, driving him to travel in search of exciting, unique, exotic, and inspiring new flavours. This passion, combined with cultural experiences, eventually led to the idea of Winnie's in 2012, sparked by making jam from gifted damsons for colleagues. Over nine years, Winnie’s has refined its craft through continuous experimentation with ingredients, combinations, and methods, incorporating feedback from food shows and festivals.

At its heart, Winnie's Original operates on inferred core principles that guide its pursuit of culinary excellence:

• Creative Expression and Love of Food: The company's origin stems from a profound love for food and a desire to express creativity through unique flavours.
• Innovation and Experimentation: There's a clear dedication to "inventing and experimenting with something new," constantly pushing the boundaries of traditional preserves.
• Quality and Luxury: Winnie's Original is committed to producing "the most delicious and luxurious handmade Jams, Sauces & Condiments," aiming to be the best in the UK and provide a distinctly satisfying experience.

Their product line reflects this dedication, featuring best-sellers like Tropical Pineapple Jamin', Classic Raspberry Jam, and Sweet Chilli Apple Sauce and the outrageous Cherry Almond Jam. The recent introduction of their "Sunshine Range" further highlights their innovative spirit and desire to bring new and exciting flavours to their customers.

Winnie's commitment to quality has not gone unnoticed. The company proudly received significant accolades at the UK Quality Food Awards 2024:

• Small Producer of the Year at the Performance Awards.
• A Bronze award for their Tropical Pineapple Jammin' in the Condiments category at the All-Year Round Winners.

These awards underscore their success in achieving their goal of delivering high-quality, luxurious products. You can find more details about their awards on the Quality Food Awards Performance Awards 2024 Winners and Quality Food Awards All Year Round 2024 Winners pages.

Winnie's Original is part of a much larger culinary narrative – the rich history of jam and the evolution of condiments. The practice of preserving fruits by cooking them with sugar dates back to ancient civilisations like the Romans and Greeks, who used honey as a sweetener. This early form of food preservation evolved significantly over centuries. The Crusades introduced sugar to Western Europe, making jam production more accessible, and figures like Louis XIV popularised it as a luxury item. Napoleon Bonaparte's quest for preserved food for his army spurred innovations like airtight canning, leading to mass production during the Industrial Revolution. From these humble beginnings of simple fruit preservation to modern innovations, jam has transformed from a necessity into a global delight. Winnie's Original, with its focus on artisanal quality and unique flavour profiles, contributes to this ongoing evolution, demonstrating how traditional craft can meet contemporary palates and maintain a luxurious appeal in the modern condiment landscape.

For more information about their products and story, visit the Winnie's Original website. Or their Instagram page, accessible at https://www.instagram.com/winniesoriginal/, which offer further insights into their vibrant brand and community.