A little background. I've discussed odd jams/jellies/preserves/spreads/butters several times before. Specifically, on May 22, 2015 (apple, pumpkin, mixed berry, jalapeno), on November 23, 2016 (rose hips, plum), on January 20, 2018 (almond, cashew, sunflower), and on February 15, 2020 (English marmalade, apricot, prune, mango). But the appropriate section of my local Shop-Rite came through yet again. Recently I beheld two more kinds--fig preserves and sweet potato butter. From the Braswell's line, out of Statesboro, Georgia, in the U.S.A.
According to online information, including the official Braswell's website, in 1946 a man named Albert Braswell returned home to Georgia after serving during World War II. He received help from the GI Bill, which provides American military personnel with financial help for college. But he had no job. Therefore, he started making preserves, starting with a steam kettle and a bushel of local pears. Braswell's Food Company was thus born. But it's not just preserves--in the over 75 years since being started Braswell's now makes jellies, dressings, sauces, seasonings, mustards, pickles and relishes, seafood sauces and seasonings, salsas and dips, syrups and honey. Just looking through their selections, the company seems like it's a major fan of Vidalia onions, for one. Anyway, the business has flourished. Currently it's reportedly the 7th largest jam/jelly/preserve manufacturer in the country, and is the Number 1 seller of pepper jelly, fig preserves, and pear preserves in the U.S.
Switching to figs, I was amazed to learn that they are one of the first plants cultivated by humans. Remains of them have been found in archaeology sites as old as 9400-9200 B.C. (In what is now Jordan). Which is before such staples as barley, wheat, and legumes were domesticated. This fruit is native to the Mediterranean region, as well as parts of South and Western Asia. Figs were hugely popular in both Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. (As well as in modern Greece and modern Rome, obviously.) For those interested in reading about a more adult version of figs, consult my post about a booze made from them on September 3, 2022. Finally, on the downside, the milky sap of the fig plant is a skin irritant for humans, so be careful if you decide to start growing them yourself.
Braswell's fig preserves: Not much of an odor. Brownish color, shiny, with visible seeds in it. I tried some plain, and then on a roll. The texture was a fairly soft and gooey gel, but there was some crunch from the seeds. The flavor was nice--sweet, and well, figgy. It was decent plain, but better on the roll. Overall a nice spread. If you like figs in general, you'll probably enjoy this.
Braswell's sweet potato butter: This one was brownish-orange in color, and had a stronger, pumpkin-y smell. The texture was more liquid-y, so much so that I could pour it out. Once again, I tried some plain on a spoon, and then on a roll. The taste was very good. I like sweet potatoes in general, and whipped up into a butter was fine, too. On a roll was almost like a quick and dirty pumpkin pie. Really enjoyed, and strongly recommend it. Also, for some of Braswell's offerings they put the product in a more elaborate glass jar, as a collectable. So now my household has a neat little scalloped drinking glass as well.
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