Hemelhuijs Hedgerow Berry Jam soared high after winning the 2026 Product of the Year award at the South African Preserve Championships yesterday at Eensgezind in Durbanville, Cape Town.
Hemelhuijs competed among 700 entries and different products from 85 manufacturers but managed to secure the top spot.
Despite having so many entries and manufacturers, the competition awarded 13 best category winners and 113 products from 43 different manufacturers in their respective classes.
Quality preserves take centre stage
Susina Jooste, the chief judge, food expert and training specialist, highlighted the excellent standard of products and explained the difference between a winner, the runner-up and the standard of products in the competition.
“The difference between a winner and the second or the runner-up is a fraction; it’s not even a full mark. So, the standard of the competition and the standard of the products are exceptionally high,” Jooste said.
Jooste applauded judges who worked tirelessly in ensuring that the judging process went smoothly and fairly.
Thirteen products were announced as category winners at the 2026 SA Preserve Championships, held on 27 August at Eensgezind in Durbanville. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi
“To the fellow judges, and that is where my heart is today; the integrity of this event fundamentally depends on your integrity, on your time, on your dedication. It is a very hard and difficult task to decide and to give a mark, if you’ve got a flight of products and the one is as good as the other one,” said Jooste.
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She explained what it means to be crowned as Product of the Year and what differentiates Hemelhuijs Hedgerow Berry Jam from other products.
“To be named the national Product of the Year in a competition of this calibre is a remarkable achievement, particularly in a market where consumers have such a wide choice of quality products.
“Hemelhuijs Hedgerow Berry Jam is exceptional on every sensory level, from its appearance and colour to its deep red berry taste and flavours, rounded mouthfeel, ideal syrup-to-fruit ratio and well-balanced sweet-acidic profile. It is also a versatile product that can be enjoyed as a traditional jam or used to enhance meat dishes and sauces,” Jooste said.
From Montagu soil to national champion
Jacques Erasmus, the chef patron at Hemelhuijs, said that where they source Hedgerow Berry Jam ingredients is why their jam is unique and important.
“Our preserves are made from organic fruit carefully picked at our Jonkmanshof farm in Montagu, where we grow and produce seasonal fruit as part of our commitment to sustainability. By sourcing directly from the farm, we ensure the freshest ingredients while reinforcing our dedication to a sustainable way of living,” he said.
Meanwhile, Breyton Milford, the general manager of Agri-Expo and the organiser of the championship, said the competition was founded in 2025 to honour and recognise products from several manufacturers with the highest quality.
“The significant increase in entries clearly shows that there is a need in the industry for this kind of platform. The results highlight an innovative sector and healthy competition, from established brands to smaller and emerging producers. Congratulations to all the winners,” Milford said.
He also thanked their sponsors and industry partners for their support.
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