Yesterday I had the pleasure of visiting a well-established & family owned cannery in Sierra Madre, California;
I was invited to oversee a trial ‘batch’ of Ojai Jalapeño Jelly being made- It was impressive to see my beautiful Pepper Jelly cooked up in such a big, shiny pot! Stirred with an oar, no less! The familiar & tantalizing aroma that I know so well, filled the air & I had no doubt I was in the right station…
The batch simmered-on a while, then was transferred to the ‘filler’. The high-noon train of jars were lined up & on-course to be filled, two at a time. They soldiered on, eastbound, where they made the acquaintance of their coal-black lids. Off to the hot water ‘bath’ they went, then the cold.
All the while, Richard Ward & his son Jeff, made me feel at home. I wandered about like a drifter, taking scads of photos, as my Ojai Jalapeño Jelly made it’s mark on their historic track.
I had a great day- I’m happy to announce: I’ve found a perfect ‘fit’ for my Pepper Products to be made!
