06 Nemika Brunton 24 Jam entrepreneur Alotau

A childhood pastime has developed into a viable business for Nemika Brunton, who has created Yanua Kitchen, a thriving cottage industry that is making some of the best homestyle jam in Papua New Guinea.

As a small girl, Brunton picked up her jam-making skills from her grandfather and mother during family cooking time. “My mum always made star fruit jam, so I remember watching her in the village,” Brunton says.

Yanua Kitchen specialises in homemade jams using local seasonal fruits, including star fruit and pomelo (a large citrus fruit).

“The pomelo jam is my personal favourite because it goes so well on toast or buns,” Brunton says.

Brunton has been encouraged by online interest in her business and, with the support of her partner Sioni, is expanding to produce larger quantities to keep up with demand. The next step will be to export her jams, she says.