Gooseberry and lavender jam

May 14, 2026

Experimenting is in our DNA! Sometimes simple curiosity like just wanting to see what different flavours might do together has led to some of these experiments. A good harvest where we have lots of herbs for example, or so much fruit that may ripen all at once if we don’t come up with a plan, have also encouraged us to try different things to either preserve or come up with ways to use everything without wasting. Slowly, these small experiments have resulted in a range of special Gobelo sauces, relishes, preserves and spreads that make use of everything growing around us.

One combination that surprised us in the best way has been gooseberry and lavender jam. We of course didn’t think this would work at first (we’ve heard about it but it’s not a popular or common commercial product and this might have been why we thought that) because gooseberries already have such a strong tartness and lavender can easily become overpowering if you are not careful. But after a few small batches and adjustments, the balance finally came together.

The result is a jam that has an unexpected but familiar taste at the same time. The gooseberries bring tanginess and natural sweetness once cooked down, while the lavender adds a subtle floral flavour that doesn’t take over the whole thing like you would expect. Together, they create this rich, fragrant and surprisingly comforting combination.

Both ingredients also happen to grow well here at Gobelo. The gooseberries do ripen fast and birds love them, so there is usually this funny dance between us and them to see who gets there first. Lavender likes dry conditions and plenty of sun and with our hot climate and sandy soils, they do well here. They also brighten the gardens, attract pollinators and have that unmistakable scent that drifts through the air, so we always make sure to grow plenty of them.

This jam has become one of our favourite ways to use lavender and gooseberry. It works beautifully as something simple to share over breakfast or tea and it is served with freshly baked bread or warm scones in the mornings. It also creates this homemade feeling which we always look forward to bringing to our products from the farm.

So far we have only made small batches just for us and the guests that visit the farm. Our hope is to one day make more of it to share with the wider community. Like most things at Gobelo, this recipe will probably continue changing slightly every time we make it. Some batches may end up a little sweeter, others more tart depending on the fruit and the season. That is part of the fun of working with fresh ingredients and making things by hand. And maybe that is what we enjoy most about these small experiments. We can eat, we can learn, we can grow and more importantly, we can make and share from this land. And we don’t have to get it right the first time because we can always try again.

Until next time,
   the Gobelo Team