an Internet tale of lost love found again

I love jam. In the summertime I stock up on locally made jams at our farmer’s market and nurse them all the way through winter. I use it in place of sugar on oatmeal and in plain yogurt, and of course on buttered toast.

Regrettably, I’m just about nearing the end of my stash.

Of all jams I love Deer Mountain most of all. Deer Mountain is available in grocery stores in the Seattle area – I haven't seen it anywhere else. There’s something just right about Deer Mountain jam – maybe a little too sweet, but so bursting with fruit flavor that you blame the berries.

My brother AMB lived with me one summer in Seattle and developed an addiction to their raspberry. After he moved away I would send him a jar periodically, but never frequently enough, I’m sure. I’m a huge fan of the blueberry – ‘specially spread on bread with cream cheese – and their gooseberry – so tart, so good – set out when friends come for dinner with crusty bread and plain old chevre.

Today I pulled my last blueberry farmer’s stash down from the shelf, and started thinking about Deer Mountain. Thought I’d try Googling them one more time – even though the last few times I’ve tried I came up empty-handed.

Here’s what unfolded next via email:

=== ME ===

Hi there:
I found a reference online that led me to believe that Tea-n-Crumpets preserves are also known as Deer Mountain Preserves as they are sold in grocery stores in Washington State. Is this assumption correct?

I noticed that many of your preserves are the same as Deer Mtn -- Gooseberry and Blackberry, for example -- although Blueberry is noticeably missing.

http://tinyurl.com/2elvdm

Thank you for your time -- I'm a huge fan of Deer Mountain Preserves and have been disappointed not to be able to find them in Illinois -- it would be lovely if they're one and the same.

best,
D.


=== ME AGAIN ===

Hey A:
I *think* this jam:
http://tinyurl.com/2elvdm

May be Deer Mountain jam under another name.

the only problem is that THEY DO NOT CARRY BLUEBERRY.

which is *hugely* problematic.

I've sent an email to customer service -- I'll keep you informed.

love ya,
D

but p.s. they DO carry raspberry.


=== AMB ===
which is probably better for day-to-day consumption, unless you eat pancakes everyday.


=== JENA ROSE, TEA-N-CRUMPETS CUSTOMER SERVICE ===

Hi D,

Yes; I'm happy to report that Deer Mountain "private labels" our Tea-n-Crumpets preserves. We've been selling their jams for 13 years-they are simply the best!

Unfortunately, Barbara let us know they had discontinued the Blueberry. I don't know why, but it had run it's course.

Thanks for checking; we hope you'll be pleased.

Regards,
Jena Rose
Tea-n-Crumpets

I’ll spare you the thread-of-much-rejoicing, except to say that AMB questioned whether blueberry could *ever* run its course, and I had to sorrowfully agree.

Suffice it to say: I’m placing my order today and will shunt a few jars of raspberry down New Mexico way.

Oh happy day.