FAQs

Can you tell us a bit more about JJ&B?

JJ&B produces a variety of delicious handmade jellies, jams and fruit butters that are made from the freshest, natural ingredients and are available in limited seasonal batches. JJ&B also produces a limited selection of artisan spreads that are available year-round.

How did JJ&B get started?

As the chief jam maker for JJ&B (or as one client calls me, "The Jam Fairy"), I have made jam for many years. In Southern California we lived near a pick-your-own farm that grew almost every type of fruit and berry, and with the long growing seasons there, I worked to perfect the art. When we moved to Texas, our friends and neighbors loved what I made and encouraged me to enter the State Fair. After winning many, many ribbons, I began to think about starting a business. JJ&B grew out of a New Year's Resolution, and as with most New Year's Resolutions, it's one of the few that I have kept!

Where do you source your fruits and ingredients from? Are they organic, from local producers, all-natural, naturally low in sugar, or preservative free?

As much as possible, JJ&B uses locally grown (and whenever possible, organically grown) produce. When I started JJ&B, I thought that establishing relationships with local farmers would be one of the toughest aspects of the business, but I have found it to be one of the easiest -- and most rewarding! We currently source from four local farmers directly, and enjoy so much the relationships we have with them. For produce we are not able to source locally, we work with a local produce dealer.

All JJ&B products are preservative free. To sweeten our products, we use only honey and cane sugar and keep our products as low in sugar as possible.

How did moving to Texas influence your jam making?

We are dedicated to using local produce, so the move to Texas has definitely influenced our jam making. Each year, our product line grows and evolves as we discover wonderful local produce and establish new farmer relationships. Texas strawberries, blackberries and plums are delicious and make the BEST jam! And Texas peaches are fantastic!! This year we have added a Peaches & Honey Jam to our line to take full advantage of the Texas peach crop.

What ingredients do like working with best?

I love working with all our fruits and vegetables because we buy directly, and by doing so are able to get the freshest produce available. But if I were to name my favorite, it might be figs. I had not tasted figs until just last year, and now I am addicted! We currently have two fig jams available, a Fig & Walnut Jam and a Rosemary & Port Fig Jam ... perhaps we will add more as time permits!

What are your values or hopes in creating these jams?

Our value is around quality and our hope is that our spreads will provide enjoyment for our customers. JJ&B spreads are made in micro-batches, and each batch is tested to make sure it meets our perfectionist standards. By preserving the freshest natural produce available and creating artisan spreads that our customers enjoy, we hope to create memories -- seasonal memories, Texas memories, or maybe even family memories.

It seems like some notable Dallas restaurants carry JJ&B. Did you see a need in Texas for locally made jam, or what inspired you?

JJ&B's restaurant business evolved with a lot of luck! There is definitely an appreciation of artisan products in Texas, and our quality speaks for itself, so that part was planned. But when starting JJ&B I didn't know enough about local restaurants to know there was a need. We are continuing to learn and will look to increase our business in that space. The relationships there and the enjoyment of their customers has provided a great inspiration.

If you have additional questions, please feel free to reach out to us at inquiries@jjandb.com. We look forward to hearing from you!