Arts
Jams my mother made
Dasaman Wijesinghe brings back the flavours of tree tomatoes and rhubarb from her childhood days in Nuwara Eliya in her smallscale business venture
Up country Sri Lanka is home to some of the most exotic and delicious fruit, yet the average Sri Lankan may not be aware of all that is on offer. For example, it is unlikely that anyone would identify Tamarillo (tree tomatoes) as typically Sri Lankan yet they grow wild throughout Nuwara Eliya. Similarly, rhubarb is another fantastic local produce that grows extensively in this region, but with a slightly acquired taste and a vague ‘foreignness’ for the Sri Lankan palate both ingredients are largely ignored in cooking. Dasaman Wijesinghe grew up surrounded by these flavours. Firmly convinced they are widely underrated she hopes her jams will appeal to the more adventurous taste buds.
Last year she returned to the Nuwara Eliya district where her mother grew up and was hit by the fond memories she has of devouring locally grown stewed rhubarb with condensed milk or tamarillo jam, homemade by her mother. Combining her mother’s well-rehearsed recipes with an element of trial and error, Dasaman cooked up her first batch of ‘Tantalising Tamarillo’ jam last year. Distributing it to friends and family she was overwhelmed by the positive feedback and how much people were enjoying this more unusual flavour, giving her inspiration to try her hand at rhubarb jam.
Since then Dasaman has recognised the gap in the market and whilst it may be niche there is clear potential to expand. Currently selling her jams for Rs. 320 at the Colombo Hippie Market, pop-up stalls and through word of mouth she is looking to further her client base. She is full of exciting plans with her husband to re-brand and break into the hotel and restaurant circuit, offering her jam as an accompaniment to traditional afternoon tea or breakfast. She also hopes to target cafes and shops in Colombo. Although the prospect of expanding excites the budding entrepreneur, Dasaman recognises that part of the charm depends on keeping it small scale and homely, it is all about finding the right balance.
The wonderful thing about her jams are the superb flavours so clearly homemade. She has successfully created the quintessential British jam but elevated it using local Sri Lankan produce. She samples the jams on cream crackers as she says they bring out the flavours well, however at home her family enjoy the jams on pancakes and waffles and she encourages her customers to do the same. Dasaman, aware of the high sugar content in jam, has reduced sugar as much as possible.
She is often asked if she plans to try other ingredients or even chutneys, and although she is not writing off the idea, at the moment she is keen to stick to what she knows best. However, after doing some research into flavoured vodkas, a new project on the cards is her first batch of tree tomato vodka. Watch this space, Dasaman has big plans – who knows it might even end up selling abroad. For more information, contact dasaman76@gmail.com