THERE was a time when no home would be without its own preserve-making expert. Mums, grannies and aunties (yes, it was very rarely the men) would each have their own specialities – whether it was jams, pickles or chutneys – and each would treasure their secret recipes as if they were the crown jewels.

My own grandmother was wellknown in her village for her juicy strawberry jam, the fruit having been picked by herself and my grandfather in the fields around their Cambridgeshire home.

I can still remember the excitement of afternoon tea at Grandma’s when she would reach into the back of her larder for a fresh jar of her best jam. It was delicious with whole strawberries floating in a sea of firm jam that would leave my brother, sister and I red-faced with delight.

I sometimes wish I could travel back in time to ask her how she made it taste so good but I have a sneaky feeling she wouldn’t have told me “until you’re a bit older dear”.

Sadly, for the majority of homes the art of preserve-making has died out but that doesn’t mean it has died out altogether.

For some there is still a great deal of pleasure to be had picking, cooking and preserving fruits and vegetables in ways that some of us would never have dreamed but still taste delicious.

The best thing you can do is get yourself down to your nearest farmers’ market and see entire stalls groaning under the weight of the best quality home-made jams, pickles and chutneys, which come in all manner of flavours.

If you go to the Malvern Hills farmers’ market today you will see the Hill View Farm, Beez Neez Honey and Worcestershire Country Markets stalls all offering a bewildering array of preserves, conserves, jams and jellies to tempt your tastebuds.

Patricia Van Zyl, of Worcestershire Country Markets, said: “We have a vast selection of jams, marmalades, chutneys and preserves.

“One of the local favourites is an old Worcestershire recipe called High Dumpsie Deary.

“It is made with all the best local produce – apples, plums and pears – along with lemon juice and ginger.

“The fruit is all homegrown by our members or bought from other local producers.

“Another favourite is Adam’s Downfall – a jam made with figs and apples, lemon juice and ginger.

“We also have a number of gift packs, which make ideal Christmas gifts.

“Most of the preserves on the stall are made by myself and Philippa Lowe.”

Today’s farmers’ market is in Abbey Road, Malvern, from 9am until 2pm. Next week’s market is at St Peter’s Garden Centre, Worcester, from 9.30am until 2pm.

For more information about farmers’ markets, log on to wfmg.co.uk.