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Concord grapes win a berth at state jam competition
Concord grapes win a berth at state jam competition
Despite the fact that people are sucking down sweetened coffee drinks topped with whipped cream and salted caramel sauce like they’re, uh, candy, they’re avoiding fruit juices because they fear they contain too much sugar.
That’s hurting growers of Concord grapes, who until recently have enjoyed a ready market for their product in grape juice. Growers asked the state for help at last month’s Concord Grape Summit.
The first such help comes in the form of adding a class just for Concord grapes in the annual jelly and jam making competition at the New York State Fair.
The list of culinary competitions typically includes a jelly competition and another competition for fruit jam or fruit-blend jam. This year there are additional categories for jam or jelly containing a New York craft beverage, such as cider, spirits, beer or wine; and a jam, jelly, preserve or fruit blend containing New York-grown Concord grapes.
Troy Waffner, the fair’s acting director, said, “We hope that this new class will encourage New York State residents to take advantage of the large Concord grape industry in our area. It’s a great opportunity to support and showcase the very best of our state products.”
Jam-makers should be aware that the first prize for the booze or Concord jam winner is $50, which is double the prize for the traditional jam and jelly classes.
Hunter & Hilsberg, the sponsor of the jam competition, will give a jelly-making demonstration Aug. 25 in the Wegmans Demonstration Kitchen in the Art & Home Center. The fair runs from Aug. 22 to Sept. 3.
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