Local treasure

Heavens To Betsy jams are delicious, healthy, and a local treasure of Winter Park.

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My order all packed up for pick up. Another friend of mine designed her cute logo seen stamped onto the bag.

When giving presents, I like to select items that I consider to be local treasure – something made right here in Orlando that isn’t seen in every city or online site.

Some say that one gives gifts that they would like to receive. I often give disposable gifts as it can be quite tricky to pinpoint another’s taste. With the holidays here I have stocked up on jars of jam to give as hostess, teacher, and neighborhood gifts. Betsy Brkich, the creator of Heavens To Betsy, is a resident of Winter Park, wife, mother of three, delightfully fun and a friend. When I met her I had no knowledge of her business and I really didn’t care for jam, associating the condiment with the overly sweet specimens placed on hotel breakfast tables. Betsy’s jams are on my list of local treasure because they are healthy and fresh tasting, having much less sugar but loads more flavor than those other varieties. I have a whole new appreciation for jam.

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Some of my favorite items stacked and ready to give to lucky friends. Notice the cute wooden spoon tied to each jar for immediate sampling.

My favorites keep changing. First it was the Blueberry grenache, which is really delicious spread onto a nutty aged cheese. But then I fell in love with the fig. That may still be my favorite or possibly a co-favorite sharing the title with the chipotle tomato jam. The latter is perfectly spicy for those not wanting  too much heat.

Over Thanksgiving I tried her orange marmalade in one of my favorite recipes.The store bought brand that I usually use, I now realize is quite bitter. Betsy’s is so good that you can eat it with a spoon straight from the jar, which I did…a lot.

The absence of sponsored posts allows for honest opinions of my current interests and inspirations.

Betsy and her jam I consider to be two local treasures of my beloved town. I strive to support independent local businesses particularly when they are owned by a friend. If you would like to “spread the love”, Heavens to Betsy products can be found in numerous establishments around Orlando: The Alfond Inn, Maureen Hall stationers, Interiors, and the Polasek Museum just to name a few.

Casa V Interiors can help you find local treasure and incorporate it into your home.