Based in Bucyrus, Ohio, Cooper’s Mill makes lots of classical jams and jellies. There’s Apple Jelly, Apricot Jam, Blueberry Jelly. If it’s a fruit, the business has probably made jelly out of it.
And that includes bananas: bananas are a fruit. That also includes tomatoes: tomatoes are a fruit.
It’d be sad to pass up the opportunity to try some of those unconventional jellies and jams. They’re not bad at all. In fact, they add a little zip and variety to the Ohio spread scene.
Banana Jam first; because it looks the most frightening. You know what a brown, overripe, rotten banana looks like? Then you know exactly what a jar of banana jam looks like. Pull off the lid, and it doesn’t look any more appealing. For those who crave a spread with iridescent, glimmering jewel tones, banana jam is not your flavor.
But if you like Apple Butter — a soft, cinnamon-y harvest spread, then there’s room in your heart for Banana Jam. It has those holiday flavors in a vehicle that boasts the silky texture of bananas. It’s good on biscuits with butter. It’s probably good in a peanut butter sandwich too.
Then there’s Tomato Jam. It’s red and shiny; a more familiar look for a jelly. In fact, it is jelly-like with a bouncy surface that cuts with a spoon. And the flavor? Surprisingly, very much like strawberry jelly. Having expected something rather more like ketchup, it was shockingly sweet and fruity: a whole different side to tomatoes.
The label on the Cooper’s Mill goodies promises that the jar’s contents are “all natural”. More precisely, there’s no high-fructose corn syrup or preservatives involved in the recipes. The business makes a few other concoctions, including apple sauce, pickles and syrups. These particular offerings (along with lots of normal Cooper’s Mill jams and jellies) were found locally at Weiland’s Market in Clintonville.
For more information, visit www.coopers-mill.com.