If you’re in the vicinity of Warner Robins, Georgia then you should find the time to stop at Peg’s Preserves, the best find of the day. I happened to be invited by my neighbor to a Georgia Farmer’s Market. Since I love a good market and I am new to Georgia, I said yes. Boy, am I glad I did!
We went to a quaint Farmer’s Market on Watson Blvd called the International City Farmers Market. Not knowing what exactly to expect, I was pleasantly surprised by Peg’s booth. She carries in her van homemade jams, preserves, jellies, and spices as well as honey from her own hive. After Peg offered me a free taste test, I purchased her Fresh Fig Preserves and Sugar Free Strawberry Peach Preserves while my friend took home Tumeric, Citrus Ginger Rub, and a 2-pound container of pure honey.
You won’t be disappointed with the genuinely great taste and the variety of goodies available. Seriously, good luck choosing what to indulge in from all the delicious products and flavors available at Peg’s Preserves!
Background: Peg’s Story
Simply known as Peg, her story of making jams and jellies started when she was 6 years old. She learned from the best teacher, her mother. As she grew older, she entered her creations in fairs and worked on a farm exclusively making their jelly. Eventually, she had gained enough experience and ventured out on her own. Peg started with 15-20 flavors but quickly grew to 80 flavors!
Peg and her husband, Shawn, lived in Lancaster, Massachusetts but have since moved to Byron, Georgia. In Massachusetts, Peg was able to grow nearly all the fruit required for her jams and jellies with a small orchard, called Corbett Farms. The orchard contained up to two trees of each variety needed. They also had 10 bee hives to collect honey and for the bees to be essential pollinators among the farm. Now, in Georgia, the couple have a small number of bee hives and have planted an orchard. They plan to continue to grow their orchard and increase the hives in order to provide local fruit in their products and local honey for as long as possible.
Peg is a delight to interact with, a dedicated business woman, and a real powerhouse for knowledge on her products. Ask her anything about her products or her process – even for free samples!
Products
Preserves, Jams, Jellies
Preserves might be Peg’s best known product because of her business name but that doesn’t stop her from creating delicious jams and jellies, too.
You might be asking, “What is the difference?” and that’s a great question! Two main differences are the fruit being present or not and the thickness or firmness of the product. Preserves are made with small, whole fruit or uniform pieces of fruit and are possibly the least firm. Jam is made with crushed or chopped fruit and is firm but not as firm as jelly, which is a mixture of fruit juice and sugar and holds its shape the best.
Learn more about preserves, jams, and jellies and how to make them here by the University of Nebraska.
With over 80 kinds, Peg has nearly every flavor combination imaginable, some classic and some very unique. It’s better to see them in person to believe it. If you do think of a flavor not already created, she is open to suggestions.
Good luck choosing from among these mouth-watering choices:
- Apple Pie Jam
- Banana Bread Jam
- Blueberry Rhubarb Preserves
- Carrot Cake
- Chocolate Strawberry Preserves
- Ginger Peach
- Hot Pepper Raspberry
- Kiwi Jam Preserves
- Mint Julep
- Pina Calada Jam
- Port Wine Jelly
- Quince Jelly
- Spiced Tomato Jam
- Strawberry Pineapple Preserves
- Watermelon Preserves
Honey
All of Peg’s honey is raw and unprocessed, which according to the Cleveland Clinic, has the most antioxidants. Honey has a medicinal quality that is awesome. Not only does it never go bad but it can help with allergies. Honey has even been applied to wounds to help with healing. It should still, however, be regarded as an added sugar and be used sparingly in your every day diet.
Peg’s husband takes the lead on honey as Beekeeper. Using only chemicals safe for the bees, Peg and her husband are able to offer both spring and fall honey varieties. The spring honey is wonderful for spring allergies and has a sweeter taste as it is made from the pollens of the fruit orchard. The fall honey is fantastic for seasonal allergies and has a stronger taste as it is made from the pollen of wildflowers.
You will find a desired size from Peg’s farm, ranging from 1-5 pound jars to a 13 pound (1 gallon) jug. Creamed honey is also on hand and it looks incredibly delicious, almost like velvet! It comes in the following flavors: plain, raspberry, lemon, peppermint, and orange cream. Peg offers gift sets of honey with a cute, wooden honey dipper. She also sells honeycombs and bee pollen when available.
Relishes and Pickles
Peg has 21 different relishes and pickles. Who could say no to Sweet Pepper Relish, Hot Bread and Butter, or Spicy Pickled Garlic? She also has beans and sugar free varieties.
Peg made relishes and pickles back in Massachusetts but is still searching for a kitchen willing to support her production in Georgia. She hopes to have them available soon.
Spices
If you like spices, rubs, seasonings or herbs, look no further. Peg has got it all! She offers 88, yes 88, different spices, rubs, seasonings, and herbs.
Peg has the classics like thyme leaves, garlic powder, cloves, and black pepper. She has fun seasonings like Pizza seasoning, Pulled Pork seasoning, Fajita seasoning, and Guacamole seasoning. Some of her featured rubs are Honey Mustard, Kentucky Bourbon BBQ, New England Garlic Pepper, and Olde Canadian Chicken. Beyond that, she has “you have piqued my curiosity” types like Saffron Rice seasoning, Ultimate Steakhouse Burger, VT Maple Bourbon BBQ rub, and Citrus Ginger rub.
I hope to see you soon at a Georgia Farmers Market to support local, small businesses like Peg’s Preserves. You never know what your best find of the day might be!
How to Connect
Peg’s Preserves can be found at 659 Kewanee Drive, Byron, GA or local Georgia Farmer’s Markets — International City Farmers in Warner Robins, GA on Thursdays from 1-6pm; Centerville Market in Centerville, GA on the first and third Saturdays of the month from 8am-12pm; and Perry Farmers Market in Perry, GA open every Saturday at 9am year-round.
Peg can be reached by email for orders or questions at pegs_preserves@yahoo.com. You can follow her on Facebook here.