Meet Erin Burrise: Jam Maker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Erin Burrise and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Erin, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?
I’ve learned that if you decide to take a chance on yourself and really put in the work to learn about your craft and perfect what you’re doing, then success comes naturally. I’ve been ghosted, told ‘No,’ made tons of mistakes, and I’m still learning, but I wholeheartedly believe in myself and know that building this career and company is what I’m meant to be doing. So I never worry about succeeding and taking this as far as I want it to go.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am the owner and creator of berry&thyme, a Black and Filipina, Sacramento, CA based botanically infused jam and marmalade company. I take fruit and botanicals like rose, lavender, sage, and thyme, and create delicious jams and marmalades. I will be the last person to say that what I’m doing is new or innovative! Preserving fruit is an age-old art and I am simply taking my seat at the table. That said, I do try to create flavor combinations that I’ve never had or have seen other companies making, like Blood Orange & Rose marmalade and Banana & Cayenne jam. I love creating unique flavors and it’s the most exciting part of my career! My business was build on a dollar and a dream. Jk! Once I decided that I was going to make botanically infused jam, I had to teach myself how to make botanically infused jam. Like, I had never made jam a day in my life prior to starting my business. But it surprisingly felt very natural. I’m convinced I did this in a past life! That’s not to say that I didn’t burn batches of jam, or create marmalade that was disgusting and inedible, because I sure did. But I kept creating, learned from my mistakes, and have taken classes via Zoom from an incredible jam maker/preserver/baker, Camilla Wynne, out of Toronto, ON. She is such a badass and really helped me be more confident in my craft. Thank you, Camilla! Folks can know that when they try a berry&thyme product, it will be unique in flavor, at times familiar, and always incredibly delicious.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We would eat, and eat, and eat, and drink throughout Sacramento. I would pretty much use the whole week to explore a new coffee shop each morning, and rotate a new restaurant each day for lunches and dinner. Some places for coffee that we would not miss is Pachamama, Maestro Coffee Shop, The Mill, and Old Soul. We’d eat lunch at Fixin’s, South, and Coconut on T. For dinner, we would definitely get pizza from Majka Bakes, bbq from Urban Roots, and tacos from Mas Taco. I guess we’d fit a bike ride or walk in there at Land Park. Or not.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
100% need to shoutout my family and best friends, especially my Husband. Without getting too lovey-dovey and sappy, that dude encourages and supports me immeasurably. He constantly asks to learn my processes and procedures so he can help with running the business. I bounce ideas and recipes off of him and he is my #1 taste tester and gives his honest opinions which is so important to me. To have a partner in life who helps when I need, but also gives me space to spread my wings and watch me soar on my own is beautiful, and I’m so thankful for him.

Website: www.shopberryandthyme.com

Instagram: @berry.and.thyme

Facebook: www.facebook.com/berryandthyme

Image Credits
Morgan Potter Photography