Enterprising food producer, Eliza Jones, has expanded her Chosan By Nature brand by launching a new range of artisan jams and spreads with exciting and zesty flavours, all made with superfood favourite, Baobab.
Being an independent food producer is challenging at the best of times, but when you are trying to launch a brand-new range within the era of COVID-19, then your work is made 10 times harder as Eliza Jones, founder of Chosan By Nature, found.
The Colchester-based food producer has beaten the odds in the face of COVID-19 restrictions and is triumphantly stirring up the jam market with the launch of her new range of vegan artisan jams and spreads which use the health-food staple Baobab as its base ingredient.
Eliza Jones, founder of Chosan By Nature, said, “When lockdown was announced, I thought we would have to shelve our plans, but we are so grateful for all our supporters’ help. We raised over £3,500, which was enough to tip the balance. We carried on behind the scenes and I’m delighted to say, we made it!”
Baobab is a tree native to certain areas of Africa. The pulp, leaves and seeds of the baobab fruit, is usually available in powdered form. For many years, Baobab has been associated with a number of health benefits including it being a good source of vitamin C which supports a healthy immune system, high fibre content to promote digestive health and helping to balance sugar levels.
Normally sold in health food shops in powder form, the new Chosan range allows us to enjoy this recognised superfood in a new way and in four exciting new flavours; Baobab Chocolate Spread, Orange and Baobab Jam, Baobab Jam with Ginger and Banana and Baobab Jam.
These exciting new options can be enjoyed on breakfast toast or scones for afternoon tea, made sweeter by the fact that the jams are inspired by the fruits and flavours of Africa and will also help Chosan to support women farmers in Gambia.
This social enterprise aspect is an important part of the Chosan story. Eliza, who founded Chosan in 2016, told Melan: “I grew up in The Gambia and was brought up on deliciously tasting home-made drinks using locally available fruits and plants. Using Chosan I want to share this experience so that as many people as possible are also able to enjoy exotic refreshing natural flavours.
“Baobab is wild harvested, so is naturally organic and Chosan’s jams and spreads use far less sugar than most jams, sweetened with unrefined cane sugar and no artificial sweeteners.”
“While working with women’s projects in The Gambia I was struck by how much fruit and vegetables had to go to waste because they were only eaten fresh.
“I noticed that their hard work producing food crops was undermined because of seasonal gluts, with virtually no processing of surplus, meaning they don’t get much to show for it.”
“Later on, working internationally for a development agency, I was inspired by products I saw in Asia and Latin America, such as mango bars, guava cheese and sapodilla ice cream – all made from fruits that also grow in The Gambia.”
Today, Chosan supports women food producers in The Gambia with equipment and supplies, such as lids for recycled jam jars. This allows them to develop products from seasonal food crops.
Baobab is wild harvested, so is naturally organic and Chosan’s jams and spreads use far less sugar than most jams, sweetened with unrefined cane sugar and no artificial sweeteners.
For years, Baobab has been recognised as a superfood powder and vitamin enricher by health food enthusiasts, but Eliza says it’s time to acknowledge the fact that it has great flavour too.
“For years, Baobab has been recognised as a superfood powder and vitamin enricher by health food enthusiasts, but Eliza says it’s time to acknowledge the fact that it has great flavour too.”
“The products we make here in the UK allow us to enjoy delicious, tropical flavours with nutritional benefits, at the same time as supporting low-income communities in Africa.”
The new range of jams and spreads joins Chosan’s other products; drinks and sorbets, which come in refreshing flavours including hibiscus, ginger and watermelon.
All four of Chosan’s new jams and spreads are available in 190g glass jars, costing from £6.50. They include no allergens, are gluten free and are suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
Shop the Chosan jams and spreads range here
Visit the Chosan by Nature website
