A fruit preserve launched under Meghan Markle’s lifestyle brand, As Ever, is being produced nearly 3000km from her California home, despite marketing that leans heavily on a homegrown aesthetic.
The jam, described as being “inspired by the recipe Meghan crafted in her home kitchen,” is featured in an Instagram video showing fruit bubbling on the stove in the Duchess of Sussex’s Montecito property.
But it’s now been revealed that the £6.50 ($A13.64) raspberry spread is manufactured in a commercial facility in Illinois, far from the Californian estate showcased in its promotional materials.
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The preserve is reportedly produced by The Republic of Tea, the same US company behind Meghan’s £9 herbal tea range and her £21 orange blossom honey, which sold out shortly after release, the Mirror explained.
It remains unclear whether the brand also produces the newly released apricot preserve, but Meghan previously claimed the first batches of both flavours “sold out within hours of release online.”
However, not everyone has been impressed with the final product.
Food critic Donna Collins described the jam as “a real disappointment,” adding it was “too runny” to use properly.
While As Ever’s marketing paints a picture of artisanal craftsmanship, the production facility is located on an industrial estate, raising questions about the gap between the brand’s image and its manufacturing reality.
A source close to Meghan clarified that As Ever began by using the spread she makes at home and then developed a scaled-up version for commercial release.
The official As Ever website still describes the raspberry spread as “inspired by the recipe she made in her home kitchen” and notes that it was “deliberately crafted with a fluid texture.”
In her Netflix series With Love, Meghan, she is seen harvesting berries and making small batches of jam in her kitchen. “I did save one of 50 for my mom,” she says in the episode.
The Daily Mail has confirmed that The Republic of Tea currently produces the raspberry spread, though a source noted that a new supplier will soon take over production.
While The Republic of Tea is headquartered in Larkspur, California — roughly 350 miles from Meghan’s home — the jam is reportedly made in a facility located in Illinois.
In a statement to the Daily Mail, Netflix said: “Netflix and As Ever take pride in working with best-in-class vendors that meet our high standards for exceptional products.”
“It’s been exciting to see how much fans have embraced the As Ever product line, with the first two launches selling out so quickly. We’re looking forward to continued success as we expand and release more As Ever product throughout the year and beyond.”
Madeline Cove
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