Dauntsey Strawberry Preserve: The Taste of a British Summer

Dauntsey Strawberry Preserve is a rich, fruity preserve made in small batches from carefully selected strawberries using traditional methods. If one preserve captures the flavour of a British summer, it's this one. It belongs on afternoon tea tables, at cream teas, breakfasts and picnics, and it's far more versatile than most people realise.

Few foods are as universally loved as strawberry jam. Here we look at what makes ours special, why strawberries are such a good fruit for preserving, and two unusual recipes that take a jar well beyond the scone.

Key Takeaways

• Made in small batches from carefully selected strawberries, using traditional methods.

• Rich, fruity and packed with whole strawberry character, because we let the fruit shine.

• The classic partner for toast, scones, cream teas and yoghurt.

• Works in savoury dishes too, adding fruitiness, sweetness and colour.

• Try it in a Brie grilled sandwich or a strawberry balsamic salad dressing.

What makes Dauntsey Strawberry Preserve different?

Our Strawberry Preserve is made by hand in small batches from carefully selected strawberries. We use traditional methods and let the fruit shine, so the result is rich in flavour, beautifully fruity and full of whole strawberry character.

Everything is cooked open-pan at The Old Rectory in Dauntsey, which means each batch gets our full attention. It's the same way we make every jar in our Jam & Preserves collection, and it's why our preserves taste of fruit first rather than sugar.

Many of our customers tell us our Strawberry Preserve reminds them of the jam their grandparents used to make. We can't think of a nicer compliment.

Why are strawberries so good for preserves?

Strawberries suit preserving because of their natural sweetness, vibrant colour and unmistakable aroma. They've been enjoyed in Britain for centuries and remain one of the nation's favourite fruits, which makes strawberry one of the most popular preserves on any breakfast table.

Turning them into a preserve keeps all the flavour of freshly picked fruit while making it something you can enjoy throughout the year. Open a jar on a grey winter morning and you get a small reminder of summer.

Capturing a short season in a jar sits at the heart of British preserving. If you're curious about that tradition, read what makes a British preserve truly British.

Is strawberry preserve the same as strawberry jam?

In everyday conversation, most people use the two names interchangeably, and plenty of people searching for strawberry jam are really after a jar like this one. On a label, though, the words aren't quite the same, and only one of them has a legal definition in the UK.

We explain the difference properly in our guide to jam vs preserve vs conserve. For eating purposes, what matters is simple: ours is rich, fruity and full of whole strawberry character, whatever you choose to call it.

How do you enjoy strawberry preserve?

The simplest ways are still the best. Spread generous spoonfuls on toast, dollop it onto freshly baked scones, or swirl it into yoghurt. It's a simple pleasure, and one that suits almost any time of day.

• Breakfast: on toast or stirred through a bowl of yoghurt.

• Cream teas and afternoon teas: on warm scones with cream, where strawberry is the traditional choice.

• Picnics: a jar packed alongside scones or bread travels well to a summer spread.

For an afternoon tea table with a little more variety, our Raspberry Preserve brings a sharper, more tart contrast. You can read more about it in our post on raspberry preserve as a classic British favourite.

Can you use strawberry preserve in savoury dishes?

Yes. Strawberry preserve is far more versatile than many people realise and works in both sweet and savoury dishes. Wherever it appears, it adds fruitiness, sweetness and colour.

The trick is to pair it with ingredients that balance the sweetness: creamy or tangy cheeses, a splash of vinegar, a pinch of black pepper. Both of the recipes below follow that idea, and both take only a few minutes.

What flavours go well with strawberry preserve?

Strawberry preserve pairs best with creamy, tangy and slightly sharp flavours that balance its sweetness. Cream and butter are the classic partners, but Brie, goat's cheese, balsamic vinegar, black pepper and walnuts all work surprisingly well.

A useful rule is to add one thing that's rich and one that's sharp. On a scone, that's the cream alongside the fruitiness of the preserve. In a salad, it's goat's cheese and balsamic. In a grilled sandwich, it's melting Brie inside a crisp sourdough crust. Once you start thinking this way, you'll find plenty of your own uses for a jar.

Strawberry is also one of the easiest preserves to give as a present, because almost everyone loves it. A jar sits happily in a mixed selection, and our gift sets for any occasion are a good place to start.

Two unusual strawberry preserve recipes

Strawberry Preserve and Brie Grilled Sandwich

Sweet fruit and melting cheese is a surprisingly grown-up combination, and it makes a great lunch or light supper.

Ingredients

• 4 slices sourdough bread

• 150g Brie

• 3 tbsp Dauntsey Strawberry Preserve

• Butter

Method

1. Butter the outside of each slice of bread.

2. Spread Strawberry Preserve on the unbuttered side of two slices and top with slices of Brie.

3. Sandwich together with the remaining slices, buttered side out.

4. Cook in a frying pan or toastie maker until golden and crisp.

The creamy Brie melts into the sweet strawberries, creating a surprisingly sophisticated combination.

Cook's tip: keep the pan on a moderate heat so the Brie has time to melt before the bread browns too much.

Strawberry Preserve Balsamic Salad Dressing

Two spoonfuls of preserve turn a basic vinaigrette into something special.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp Dauntsey Strawberry Preserve

• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

• 3 tbsp olive oil

• Pinch of black pepper

Method

1. Whisk all the ingredients together until smooth.

2. Drizzle over a salad of spinach leaves, goat's cheese, walnuts and fresh strawberries.

The preserve adds sweetness and fruitiness while helping to create a wonderfully glossy dressing. It transforms a simple salad into something worthy of a summer lunch party.

Cook's tip: if you don't have a whisk to hand, put everything in a clean jar with a lid and shake it until combined.

Strawberry preserve FAQs

What is strawberry preserve best served with?

Strawberry preserve is best known on toast, on scones for a cream tea, and swirled into yoghurt. It's also a classic at afternoon tea and picnics, and it works in savoury recipes such as a Brie grilled sandwich or a balsamic salad dressing.

Is strawberry preserve good for a cream tea?

Yes. Strawberry is the traditional choice for a cream tea, dolloped generously onto freshly baked scones with cream. Its rich, fruity flavour and whole strawberry character make it a natural fit for afternoon tea too.

Can strawberry preserve be used in savoury cooking?

Yes. It adds fruitiness, sweetness and colour to savoury dishes. Try it inside a grilled sandwich with Brie, or whisk two tablespoons with balsamic vinegar, olive oil and black pepper for a glossy salad dressing.

Does strawberry preserve go with cheese?

It does. Creamy Brie melts into the sweet strawberries in a grilled sandwich, and goat's cheese works well in a salad dressed with strawberry and balsamic. Soft, creamy and tangy cheeses balance the preserve's sweetness.

What is the difference between strawberry jam and strawberry preserve?

Most people use the names interchangeably, but they aren't identical on a label, and only one has a legal definition in the UK. Our guide to jam vs preserve vs conserve explains the difference.

Should strawberry preserve be kept in the fridge after opening?

Once opened, we recommend keeping it in the fridge and using a clean spoon each time. Our guide to keeping jam in the fridge after opening covers the details.

Where can I buy Dauntsey Strawberry Preserve?

You can order Dauntsey Strawberry Preserve online in a 270g jar, find it at one of our stockists across the UK, or visit our stall at farmers' markets and food festivals.

A classic that captures summer in every jar

Whether it's spread on toast, served with freshly baked scones or worked into a creative recipe, Dauntsey Strawberry Preserve remains one of the great classics. Rich, fruity and full of flavour, it proves that sometimes the simplest recipes are still the very best.

Buy Dauntsey Strawberry Preserve online, or browse our full Jam & Preserves collection for more seasonal favourites.