Little Scarlet is a type of Fragaria virginiana, a wild strawberry, and the name of a jam made from it. The species of strawberry is from North America but this selection is grown only in Britain.[1]

This tiny berry is approximately one fifth the size of a commercially cultivated strawberry,[1] similar in size to the alpine or wood strawberry. The plant was brought to Britain in the 1900s by C.J. Wilkin, a member of the family who own the Wilkin & Sons conserve manufacturing company in Tiptree, Essex, following a visit to the United States where the plant grew wild.[2][1] The company seems to be the only commercial grower of this fruit anywhere in the world.[1] The Little Scarlet conserve sells in around fifty countries at prices up to US$19 for a 12 oz jar.[3]

Cultural references

According to her former chef, Queen Elizabeth II would eat the product when her preferred home-made jam is unavailable.[3]

Ian Fleming portrays James Bond's favorite breakfast to include the product in From Russia, with Love. Pulitzer Prize-winner Philip Roth often wrote about the product, including in Sabbath's Theater.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Pettican, Zahra. "This Incredible Strawberry Jam Is Made with Rare, Extremely Tiny Strawberries". Bon Appetit. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  2. ↑ "Wilkin & Son in Tiptree". Essex Life. Archant. May 2009. p. 89. Retrieved 2011-02-05.
  3. 1 2 3 Schwartz, Alexandra; Goldfield, Hannah. "A Book Critic and a Food Critic Consider Philip Roth's Favorite Strawberry Jam". The New Yorker. Retrieved 10 August 2018.


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