Homemade in a Jar: The Art of Canned Jams, Jellies & Preserves
There's something truly special about a jar of home-canned jam — summer fruit captured at its peak and sealed with love. Stop by Open Air Market Produce Stand in London, Kentucky this week and take a little taste of summer home with you.
Summer in a Jar — And It's Right Here in London
Some things just take you straight back to your grandmother's kitchen — the sweet, warm smell of bubbling fruit, the satisfying pop of a lid sealing tight, and the pride of lining up those beautiful jars on the shelf. That's exactly the feeling you get when you discover a truly good home-canned jam or preserve. At Open Air Market Produce Stand here in London, Kentucky, we're proud to carry a handcrafted selection of home-canned jams, jellies, and preserves that bring that old-fashioned tradition right to your table.
Whether you're a lifelong fan of spreading strawberry jam on a warm biscuit or you're just discovering the difference between a grocery-store jar and the real thing, this is the week to come in and explore. July is prime time for these homemade gems, and our shelves are stocked with varieties that reflect the very best of the season.
What's the Difference Between Jam, Jelly & Preserves?
If you've ever stood in front of a table full of jars wondering which one to grab, you're not alone. Jam, jelly, and preserves are all delicious — but they're not quite the same thing, and each one shines in its own way. Jam is made from crushed or puréed fruit, giving it a thick, spreadable texture with bits of real fruit throughout. It's bold, fruity, and incredibly versatile on toast, biscuits, pancakes, or even stirred into oatmeal.
Jelly, on the other hand, is made from strained fruit juice, resulting in a smooth, clear, and firm spread that holds its shape beautifully. It's the classic choice for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and a well-made grape or apple jelly has a clean, pure fruit flavor that's hard to beat. Preserves are the chunkiest of the trio — whole or large pieces of fruit suspended in a thick syrup or gel — meaning you get big bursts of fruit in every bite. Think peach preserves on a homemade biscuit or fig preserves paired with a sharp cheese. Each style is worth trying, and we have a wonderful mix of all three right now at the stand.
What We're Stocking This Week
Right now at Open Air Market Produce Stand, you'll find a rotating selection of home-canned varieties that truly capture the flavors of mid-summer. Expect to see classics like strawberry jam, blackberry jelly, peach preserves, and apple butter alongside some more unique offerings that you simply won't find on a grocery store shelf. The selection changes as new batches come in, so every visit holds the chance of a new discovery.
This time of year is especially exciting because the fruits of summer — berries, peaches, and plums — are at their absolute sweetest and most flavorful, which means the jams and preserves made from them right now are exceptional. The color alone is enough to make your mouth water: deep jewel-toned jars of blackberry, blush-pink peach, and brilliant ruby strawberry sitting in the sunlight at the stand. If you've been searching for that special something at a Laurel County farmers market or a local produce stand near you, this is it.
Ways to Use Homemade Jams & Preserves Beyond the Toast Rack
If you think jam is only for breakfast toast, you're about to have a delicious revelation. Homemade jams, jellies, and preserves are some of the most versatile ingredients you can keep in your kitchen. Stir a spoonful of peach preserves into a marinade for grilled chicken or pork and you'll have a sweet, caramelized glaze that tastes like a restaurant dish. Swirl blackberry jam into a batch of cream cheese brownies, or layer strawberry jam between the layers of a homemade butter cake for a stunning summer dessert.
For a quick and impressive appetizer, place a jar of pepper jelly over a block of cream cheese and serve with crackers — it's a crowd-pleaser that takes about 30 seconds to put together. Peach or apricot preserves make a beautiful glaze for baked ham, and a spoonful of apple butter stirred into your morning yogurt or overnight oats will make you feel like you're treating yourself to something special. These little jars are workhorses in a summer kitchen, and having a few different varieties on hand means you're always one spoonful away from elevating a meal.
A Tradition Worth Preserving — and Passing Down
Home canning is one of those traditions that ties generations together. For many families in Laurel County and across Eastern Kentucky, putting up jams and jellies at the end of summer was as much a ritual as it was a necessity — a way of making sure the sweet flavors of the season lasted long into the cold months ahead. There's a kind of wisdom in that practice that resonates just as strongly today.
When you pick up a jar of home-canned preserves at our stand, you're not just buying a condiment. You're supporting a tradition, connecting with the kind of careful, hands-on food preparation that has been a cornerstone of this community for generations. For families looking to introduce kids to where food really comes from and how it's made, bringing home a beautiful jar and baking a batch of biscuits together is one of the most meaningful kitchen experiences you can share. It's the kind of thing they'll remember — and maybe even carry on themselves one day.
Tips for Choosing and Storing Your Jars
When you're browsing the jars at the stand, take a moment to look at the color and the seal. A properly canned jar will have a flat, firm lid with no give when you press the center — that's your sign that it was sealed correctly and is safe to store. The color of the jam or jelly should be vibrant and true to the fruit; deep, rich color is a sign of quality fruit and careful preparation.
Once you bring your jars home, store them in a cool, dark pantry or cabinet. An unopened jar of home-canned jam or jelly will typically keep well for up to a year, though the flavor is absolutely at its best within the first several months. Once opened, keep your jar refrigerated and enjoy it within three to four weeks. Pro tip: if you fall in love with a particular variety, stock up while it's available — small-batch, homemade preserves sell out quickly, and you'll be grateful come January when you're spreading summer peach preserves on a warm piece of toast in the middle of a cold Kentucky winter.
Come See Us This Week at Open Air Market Produce Stand
There's no better time to stop by than right now. We're open seven days a week and conveniently located at 1594 Barbourville Rd in London, Kentucky 40744, with plenty of parking to make your visit easy and relaxed. Our hours are Monday through Friday 10 AM to 6 PM, Saturday 9 AM to 6 PM, and Sunday 11 AM to 6 PM — so there's never a bad time to swing by and see what's new on the shelves.
London's longest-running produce market since 1984, Open Air Market has always been the place that Laurel County families turn to when they want something fresh, real, and made with care. Whether you're picking up a jar or two of homemade jam as a gift, grabbing a few varieties to stock your own pantry, or just stopping in to browse the fresh produce alongside it, we'd love to see you this week. Come taste the difference that home-canned, small-batch goodness makes — and don't forget to grab a little extra for the biscuits.
1594 Barbourville Rd, London, KY 40744 · Mon–Fri 10–6 · Sat 9–6 · Sun 11–6
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Serving London, Kentucky since 1984, Open Air Market is the oldest and longest-running produce market in Laurel County. For over 40 years, our family-owned stand at 1594 Barbourville Rd has been the trusted source for fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables in southeastern Kentucky. We hand-select every item for ripeness and quality — the way it's been done for four decades. Open 7 days a week.
