Hemelhuijs is a Cape Town inner-city culinary café. Founded in 2009, this distinctive venue is where South African heritage blends with global culinary influences.
A panel of 61 judges evaluated the entries from 85 manufacturers in a rigorous blind-tasting process, selecting 113 products from 43 manufacturers as South African champions in their respective classes.
While the winners receive no monetary or physical prizes, they may display the official 2026 sticker on their products. This mark not only helps their preserves stand out on the shelf but also strengthens consumer confidence in their quality.
Thirteen category winners were named as the best in their fields:
- Atchar: Miami Mango Atchar in Vegetable oil Garlic
- Chutney: Peppadew International Woolworths Dhania Chutney
- Curd: Lessing Konfyte & Bakkery Passionfruit Curd
- Fruit in Syrup: Elana’s Preserves Peach Halves in Syrup
- Jam: Hemelhuijs Hedgerow Berry Jam – South African Preserve Product of the Year
- Jellies: PITTIG Sweet Chilli Jelly
- Marmalade: Hemelhuijs Kumquat Conserve
- Olives: Darling Olives Marinated Olives
- Pesto: Pesto Princess Basil & Chilli Pesto
- Pickled Fruit: Lessing Konfyte & Bakkery Curry Peaches
- Pickled Vegetables: Miami Sweet & Tangy Cherry Peppers
- Relish: Creative Cuisine Pantry Tomato & Onion Relish
- Vegetables in Sauce: Ko-Ria Products Three Bean Salad
“It is an incredible honour to have a panel choosing Hemelhuijs Hedgerow Berry Jam as Product of the Year,” Hemelhuijs general manager Jo-Mari Erasmus told Farmer’s Weekly.
“All our recipes are produced from family recipes in Montagu. We are privileged to have our mother as part of the business. She is the one who is behind these lovely awards, as is our owner, chef Jacques Erasmus,” Erasmus said.
“Our products are truly unique. We produce small batches, with no preservatives and no colourants added, and we are proud to showcase that.”
Chief judge Susina Jooste, food expert and training specialist, said Hemelhuijs Hedgerow Berry Jam was “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”.
Jooste said judging was incredibly difficult. “The standard of the products was exceptionally high. Sometimes the difference between the winners and the runners-up was a fraction of a point.”
In a separate initiative, Hemelhuijs will receive a full pallet of Consol jars from The Consol Shop/Ardagh Glass Packaging–Africa, one of the gold partners of the event. Other partners were ClemenGold, Hollard, Ecowize, and SA Olive.
Breyton Milford, Agri-Expo general manager, said a jump in entries was received for the second South African Preserve Championships, illustrating the need for a platform where producers can benchmark their products against the highest industry standards.
“The results highlight an innovative sector and healthy competition, from established brands to smaller and emerging producers,” Milford said.
For the full results, visit preservechamps.co.za.
