My husband is a foodie. Which means, sometimes we end up trying foods, we otherwise would not. So, that’s how I spotted GSH Conserves, when we visited the Pasarbella Market in Singapore, last weekend. It was an unobtrusive stall in a corner (I’m sure I would have missed it), where a smiling young man was selling jam in petite jars.
I guess what caught our eye were the samplers on display. The gooey colourful stuff laid out in tiny bowls, was tempting, as we walked around figuring out what to eat. We dipped the tiny bread pieces into the jam, and went through each of them, totally unembarrassed. I think there were seven varieties. The jams were seriously delicious – not too sweet, and almost tasting like fresh fruit.
Later this week, I decided to meet Gan San Hock, who founded GSH Conserves, a few months ago, to know more about his passion.
So, who would think a conservationist by profession, would try and make a business of selling jams? But that’s exactly what Hock is doing. A few months ago, he quit his job as a conservation officer and decided to make jams! His original plan was to get into the café business, but we all know that Singapore is an oversaturated café market, and rentals are steep. So he decided to give the idea a miss.
GSH Conserves is currently a one-man show. But Joey, as he is often called, gets helpful inputs from his wife, who helps him experiment with flavours. Some of my favourites on his menu are mango and lime, dragon fruit and lychee, and the passionfruit! I love his combinations!
He has a unique flavor called Spiced Pumpkin, which he concocted with some suggestion from Chef Bjorn Shen of Artichoke Café and Bar. Marmalade with lime and ginger, is the next one on the list. Sounds delicious!
Joey loves experimenting, and we love that. He, once tried making a jam with rambutan, but hasn’t perfected it enough, to bring it on shelves.
He tells me, all the fruit is sourced from wholesale vendors. He uses the fruits of the region as ingredients, as that’s something he wants to promote. So you will not find the strawberries and blueberries on his menu, which come from the West (and add to food miles!). He adds no colour or preservatives! The interesting combinations might give him the edge to compete with the big boys of jam makers.
He stocks his jams in some small stores (see here) across Singapore, but his bigger dream is to sell at the mainstream grocery stores. Ofcourse, that would mean getting some licenses from the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority, which is an expensive affair, and requires you to have your kitchen in the food zone. Joey is working on renting a kitchen in the food zone, pooling with other food makers.
There can’t be a better time than summer to enjoy his fruity jams! We wish him luck as he concocts sweet treats by the jar. And, we can’t wait to taste his pickles and fruit leather goodies, which are in the making.
A tiny jar retails for S$4, a tad steep, but I guess its worth it, for that occasional indulgence.
Stay updated through his Facebook page
{Photos by GSH Conserves}
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