Diane's Sweet Heat
Here’s the story about how the company started from her website:
It started over 20 years ago. My best friend, Betsy, and I didn’t have money to spend on holiday gifts but wanted to do something special for friends and family.
We found a recipe for jalapeño jelly. It was different and interesting, and we decided to make it as our gift. Our friends loved it! And this was the beginning of a holiday tradition.
Each year we changed the recipe, using a variety of peppers and fruits. And every year we received more and more compliments from our friends and family. It became something they looked forward to receiving.
My daughter was married last year and as a thank you to our guests, we gave over 350 small jars of jam. The positive response and enthusiasm encouraged me to market it. That was the spring of 2007.
It has been a great ride since its inception.
Diane’s Sweet Heat is produced in McKinleyville, a small town in Humboldt County , California , where the redwood forest meets the Pacific Ocean . The jam is made in small quantities in order to control quality, integrity, and flavor. No artificial flavorings or colorings are used.
The ingredients are simple: sugar, fruit, red bell peppers, habanero peppers, vinegar, and pectin. The four-ounce jars are available in five flavors: blackberry, blueberry, peach, raspberry, and strawberry.
We had the pleasure of sampling the Blackberry jam that was forwarded to us by our good friend Dave Dewitt over at fiery-foods.com.
There’s not many ways to build up a jam other than to say it’s very tricky to mix a sweet product with something as spicy as a habanero.
| FIRE |
Medium |
Diane’s gets a Medium rating for obvious reasons; they use habaneros!
However the Fire is neither overwhelming nor out of balance. She has somehow mastered the process of moderation, and kept the habaneros from jamming the Flavor out of this jam.
Speaking of Flavor (again)…..
| FLAVOR |
Notable |
I will try to be tougher on our future reviews, but this product definitely earns our best.
I’m already a big fan of high quality jams and jellies, and this one stands effortlessly with the highest quality jams I’ve tasted.
The blackberries offer a nice sour sweet start, and the citrus finish of the habaneros is just enough to pinch but not bite. There have only been a few times that I’ve tasted sweet hot products that don’t overwhelm you in either direction, and this is one of those times.
I don’t even think I need continue to brag about how good this stuff tastes; other than I will say I’m disappointed you can only get them in four ounce jars (but I understand why).
I may have actually disrespected such an excellent item by putting on a peanut butter and jam sandwich, but as you know I’m not much for pomp and circumstance.
| SCOVERALL |
Gold |
There wasn’t one judge whose score was below the Gold rating, and all of them raved about the brilliant flavor and balance that Diane has achieved.
Once again we do have to say that Diane will need everyone’s support to take her product to the next level. This is another small company that doesn’t have online ordering yet. Make sure to order a jar, and let’s help Diane keep that wild ride going!
Thanks again for reading. We wouldn’t have a reason to go on talking about all these great products without your support.
We are signing off for today and EAT MORE HEAT!
SM
