Q and A

Product

How long do your jams last?

Our jams are made from fruit harvested seasonally, processed fresh and produced fresh. Our products are completely shelf stable. Unopened, one can store our jams on the counter, preferably away from heat and sunlight. Each of our jars are labeled with a suggested "Enjoy By" date: within the first year of our production date is when we believe the jams will best embody their intended flavor and texture profiles.

 

While we encourage you to enjoy the jams within the aforementioned timeframe for optimum quality, safely stored and unopened jams should not expire. However, if you choose to enjoy your jams past the date on your jar, please consume at your own discretion and look for signs of contamination before eating.

 

Once the jam is opened, please refrigerate. Once opened, freshness depends entirely on consumer habits and conditions. Douple dipping greatly reduces fridge-life, but we are known to eat the jam with a spoon. :)

Are your jams allergen free?

While all of our jams are by nature Gluten Free, Nut Free, Dairy Free, and Vegan, they are produced in our kitchen, which at alternate times, processes wheat and butter for our bread. We are fastidious in our efforts to eliminate any risk of cross contamination, but if it is of concern to you, please make the best decision when shopping our products for your health and safety. 

How much sugar is in your jams?

While our recipe asks for the same measure of added cane sugar across our plum varieties, each plum may contribute its own residual sugars, which is why we have such a wide spectrum of sweetness and acidity across our collection. While sugar is traditionally a vital part of the preserving process and for balancing the natural acidity of the fruit, we use a ratio that both illuminates the vibrancies of each fruit without over sweetening. Please contact us if you are seeking guidance on jams with a lower sugar profile, as we have plenty. We do not have exact nutritional values available at this time.

Do you ship your shokupan?

We are not currently shipping or delivering the shokupan at this time, as it is best enjoyed fresh and is delicate in nature.

Where can I purchase the shokupan?

You can try our shokupan at our farmers market locations. You can purchase it by the loaf (whole and half loaves available) and as toast, made-to-order. 

Purchases & Shipping

How long will it take to receive my order?

We are currently shipping once weekly on Wednesdays. All orders placed after 12pm PST on Wednesdays will be fulfilled the following week. We appreciate your patience and understanding. Should you have any timed delivery requests, such as for gifts, please feel free to email us and we will do our best to accommodate. We are unable to guarantee delivery times for flavor releases and holiday ordering, as we are a small team working with an influx of orders in a small period of time.

How much does it cost to ship my jams?

We ship using USPS as our carrier with Priority Mail 2-3 Day Flat Rate Service. The 2-3 Day delivery estimate excludes fulfillment time, which can vary. Please see above for fulfillment timelines. 

 

Shipping prices are by quantity of jars, for cost economy and reliability:

 

1 Jar - $10

2-5 jars - $16

6-12 jars - $22

12+ jars - please contact us for a quote.

 

I have a question about my order

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your order, do not hesitate to reach out to us. We work to prioritize the humanity in this work, throughout each transaction and beyond. 

 

If you would like to review our refund policy, you can view it here in detail.

 

info@ayakoandfamily.com

Community & Connection

When are restocks?

We are a seasonal producer. Harvest for our fruit here in the Pacific Northwest spans April through October, depending on the climate that year and other region specific conditions. We source all of our fruit from small, independent growers across Washington State and produce all of our jams fresh while the fruit is ripe. It can take us up to 3 weeks to fully process and produce each flavor, as the fruit comes in. Here is a general harvest calendar:

 

Rhubarb - late April thru May

Apricot - mid June thru July

Strawberry - June thru mid July

Raspberry - July thru early August

Plums - July thru September

 

Release dates and flavor availability are subject to variability. The best way to stay informed is through our newsletter and Instagram.

 

How do we stay in touch?

We love hearing from you, especially in anticipation of what's to come each season. Due to the limited nature of seasonal products, we recognize the stretches of time between releases when things are a bit quieter. You can find us writing and communing over on our Substack.

 

Or, if you have any of your own musings or curiosities, you can email us: info@ayakoandfamily.com

 

We love to keep the embers glowing with you while the trees lay dormant.

Where can we find your products in person?

For our full jam collection and other site specific offerings, please visit us in Seattle at our farmers market booth.

 

University District Farmers Market

9am-2pm, Saturdays, Year-Round

 

Ballard Farmers Market

9am-2pm, Sundays, Year-Round

 

You can also visit one of our beloved stockists. 

Anything we didn't cover? We're here for you. Send us a message and we'll reply as soon as we're able. We appreciate your patience: it's just one human on the other side :)

 

info@ayakoandfamily.com