The Story of Hummingbird Heritage

Welcome! I'm so glad you're here.

If you've ever wondered where the name Hummingbird Heritage came from, the answer begins with my mom.

If you knew her, you knew how much she loved hummingbirds. But she gave me far more than a love for those tiny birds. She taught me to cook, and many of the recipes I use today began with hers. More importantly, she taught me that food is one of the simplest and most meaningful ways to love people.

She helped publish community cookbooks that I still treasure today. Every Sunday she baked a pie—not because it was a family tradition, but because someone might stop by. She was always ready to welcome people to her table.

She also showed me how much a meal could mean to someone going through a difficult time. A loaf of bread, a pie, or a home-cooked meal wasn't just food. It was comfort. It was encouragement. It was a way of saying, "I'm thinking about you."

Those lessons have stayed with me my entire life.

My mom was also incredibly creative. She was always making something. Whether I inherited that creativity or learned it from watching her, I honestly don't know. What I do know is that creating brings me tremendous joy.

I love taking time-honored recipes and giving them a thoughtful twist—one that surprises people while still feeling familiar. It's my favorite kind of creativity because it honors the recipes that came before while creating something new to share.

One example is my Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Jam, inspired by a traditional strawberry rhubarb jam but transformed to capture the flavor of a homemade pie.

My husband has played a part in this story, too. Years ago, he took up growing hot peppers because he loves spicy food. Before long, we had more peppers than we knew what to do with! Looking for a way to use them, I began experimenting in the kitchen, and that's how my Mango Pepper Jam was born. To this day, it's one of the products people ask for most.

Later, I wanted to capture the smoky, savory goodness of a bacon jam in a way I could make and sell from my Idaho cottage kitchen. After plenty of experimenting—and a few more of my husband's peppers—Blackberry Ember was created. It has become one of my favorite examples of blending tradition, creativity, and a little imagination.

I've simply never stopped enjoying the process of creating.

As a newlywed, I read a quote in the front of one of my mom's cookbooks that said, "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach." I decided to take that seriously. Thirty-eight years later, I'd say it's served me well.

Over the years, though, I've learned something even bigger.

Food has a way of bringing people together. It celebrates joyful moments, comforts us through difficult ones, and creates memories that last long after the dishes are washed.

As Hummingbird Heritage continues to grow, so will the pantry shelves. I look forward to creating new jams, baking mixes, breads, and pantry favorites that make it a little easier to share a meal, welcome a neighbor, or bless someone you love. If I can help make hospitality just a little more attainable, then I'll consider this little business a success.

My hope is that when you bring something home from Hummingbird Heritage, you're bringing home more than good food.

I hope you're bringing home one more reason to gather around your own table.

Thank you for letting me share a little of my story. I hope you'll stop by often.

From Our Pantry to Your Table,

Carla