2017 SCA Falling Leaves A&S

This was my very first effort at any SCA Arts & Science display - and I actually did not realize it was a competition as well. However I have been canning and preserving for decades so I was fairly confident of that part of the project. It was getting my head around the various medieval aspects that opened up a new rabbit hole of research for me. 





I started with freshly picked peaches from a local farm's end of season - which meant they are not in perfect condition which does not bother me since the cooking and canning will collapse the fruit anyway. 

First batch started to be cooked down. I used honey for both batches since that would be much more readily available then processed sugar that we use today. For the peaches I used freshly grown cardamon seeds and ginger. 

I also did a batch of blackberries which were also available in the period I am looking at. These were flavored with honey, freshly ground nutmeg and cloves.

Fruits set to simmer and reduce some of the extra liquid - blackberries in the back, peaches in front. 













My exhibit set up for my first display/competition. I was pretty happy with the arrangement. And I had crackers and finished jams for tasting.