If it's good enough for the King of England to embrace his own British product line, Highgrove luxury foods and goods from his country estate garden, then it's not surprising that his enterprising California-based daughter-in-law Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has announced her first As Ever collection of eight signature taste-of-Montecito products.
Meghan's initial collection, launched this April and developed in partnership with Netflix's CPG division, derives from her approach to elevated, everyday living and is inspired by her long-lasting love of cooking, entertaining and hostessing with ease.
I must admit I was disappointed to discover the entire first batch of everything in Meghan's online shop sold out on day one. Not because I don't wish her every success (I do), more so than I'm looking forward to ordering a few of her products to see if they live up to all the press.
Following the debut of Netflix's "With Love, Meghan", and according to the press release, As ever brings to life the staples Meghan turns to time and again in her own kitchen and daily life. "Designed to infuse warmth, beauty, and intention into daily rituals, this collection marks the beginning of a brand that will continue to evolve with new seasonal offerings inspired by Meghan's personal essence." As ever will release new product collections seasonally.
I watched the first episode recently and enjoyed the setting and scenery from the backdoor overlooking the spectacular Santa Ynez mountain range. Meghan appears to be a genuine natural in the kitchen and I appreciate her California aesthetic. My main take on the series is that she's not doing anything out of the ordinary outside of the scope of her extraordinary resources. Plenty west coasters are busy doing what she does with a bag of popcorn and a vase of fresh flowers without all the fanfare. But that's the beauty of it in a way. How refreshing for Harry to sit at a kitchen counter with his kids and eat from bowls of pasta with spring veggies from the family garden, prepared by his partner.
I'm editing this post after its release after receiving an interesting note from my friend, experienced canner and longtime reader, Kathy, in Colorado. Kathy points out that, as she sat, reading at her desk while large flakes of snow fell outside her home office window, she, herself, had just put up two batches of fresh strawberry jam this same afternoon, baked a loaf of bread and popped beef tips in the crockpot for dinner.
Kathy found the Netflix series entertaining enough to stick with all the way through. But as an experienced canner of 25 years, she was rather concerned by a segment in the series in which Meghan whips up a small batch of raspberry jam and promptly pours the finished product into some jars sitting open on the counter, popping on lids and pretty labels to complete the task.
"I do hope she (or her canning minions) understand that proper canning includes sterilizing the jars, lids, rims and all canning tools and the importance of doing a final bath for at least 20 minutes (longer at altitude) to eliminate botulism."
So, if you're reading this and you've been inspired to make jam and can for the first time, please do consult correct proceedure before doing so. I count myself lucky in being the frequent recipient of Kathy's annual kitchen creations and have plenty friends in the Petaluma area who treat me to a jar or two, seasonally. Not one of my specialties.
I did think there would be more of a range in the collection, but it's probably best to start small and scale up gradually. As grocery bills continue to climb here in the USA, Meghan's not the only one making her own jam and whipping up a batch of shortbread. But a splurge on a tin of her herbal lemon ginger tea would be a proper treat! And for all her critics, you can't argue with the sweet success of a sell out day.
Available now on a waiting list, on AsEver.com, the following products will, at some point, be available to ship nationwide across all 50 states with plans to expand globally.
Now obviously this creates the buzz of a luxury goods line in selling out so fast. A smart move.
- Raspberry Spread in Keepsake Packaging - The heart of the collection, and where it all began. This luscious, fruit-forward spread is housed in elegant keepsake packaging designed to be repurposed long after the last spoonful. SRP: $14 [Raspberry Spread without Keepsake Packaging available soon, SRP: $9]
- Herbal Lemon Ginger Tea - A modern take on a classic, this bright and warming infusion balances zesty flavor with a touch of spicy ginger, creating the perfect morning ritual. SRP: $12
- Herbal Peppermint Tea - A crisp and refreshing blend of pure peppermint, this tea offers the perfect moment of peace, whether sipped hot or iced. SRP: $12
- Herbal Hibiscus Tea - Vibrant and floral, this lively, tangy brew delivers a naturally sweet finish, especially delightful with a drizzle of honey. SRP: $12
- Flower Sprinkles - A touch of edible artistry. Elevate any dish with these delicate, colorful florals—turning omelettes into masterpieces, salads into statements, and mealtime into moments of joy. SRP: $15
- Crepe Mix - Elegance made effortless. This light, airy mix delivers delicate crepes that are as perfect for a solo gourmet indulgence as they are for a cozy family breakfast. SRP: $14
- Shortbread Cookie Mix with Flower Sprinkles Included - A flavorful, crumbly delight with a whimsical floral twist. Enjoy them as-is, crumble them over ice cream, or use them as the perfect base for your favorite spreads. SRP: $14
- Limited-Edition Wildflower Honey with Honeycomb - A luxurious, drizzle-worthy indulgence with tasting notes of wildflowers, finished with a stunning wedge of honeycomb. Elevate everything from yogurt and tea to roasted salmon and charcuterie spreads. Supplies are limited. SRP: $28