Seville Oranges have been available in Europe since the 12th century and are the most popular oranges to make marmalade. Their sharp bitter taste combined with sugar makes for the perfect combination for your favourite marmalade.
These uniquely tasting orange are only available for a short time from mid-December to the end of February each year. Even then you are lucky if they are in the shops for all of that time.
Whether you like your marmalade with thick or thin rind, or simply smooth you can easily make your own tasty and organic marmalade.
Below is a bit about Seville oranges and a couple of easy to make recipes that are suitable for everyone.
Seville Oranges, Where to buy Them
Where can I buy Seville oranges? This is a question often asked. That I think is because if you blink you miss them. My local supermarket doesn’t even seem to sell them so I have to go to the larger one or order online. Your main supermarket should sell them. Alternatively, try a good local market if you have one.
Where are Seville oranges from?
These bitter oranges are from Spain, Seville in Europe although their native region is South East Asia. These days they are grown in many different areas of the world although it is Seville that they grow them, especially for the UK marmalade market.
Seville Oranges Season
The season for Seville oranges is from mid-December to the end of February.
Why Do I have to Use Seville oranges in Marmalade Rather Than Normal Oranges?
This was an important question for me and although I expect most people know this, there are prob
There are several reasons.
- Because Seville oranges contain high levels of pectin.
- These oranges are bitter and sharp. This combination along with sugar makes for the perfect tasting marmalade
Is Marmalade Easy To Make?
Basic orange marmalade is fairly easy to make although you do need to be willing to mix the ingredients and keep an eye on it when you are cooking it.
Seville orange recipes
Recipe One Basic Traditional Orange Marmalade
Difficulty level: Easy
Ingredients
- 0.5Kg (1lb) of Seville oranges (ideally unwaxed/organic oranges)
- 1 lemon (unwaxed)
- 1.3 litres of water (5.5 cups)
- 1Kg (2lb) sugar either preserving sugar (without pectin) or mucavo sugar
Equipment Needed
- Maslin pan/pan
- Juicer
- Strainer, muslin bag or cheesecloths
- Stirring spoon/spatula
- Jam Thermometer
- Knife
- Jam jars and lids (sterilised and warm)
Method:
- Wash your oranges
- Cut oranges in half then juice them keeping all the pulp and the seeds
- Pop all the seeds pulp etc into a muslin bag
- Slice the orange rind into thin slices
- Juice and cut the lemon
- Pop the juice, orange rind, and lemon rind and the bag into a pan and then add the water
- Heat to the boil and then simmer your fruit gently for 20-25 minutes until your peels are soft
- Remove the mixture from the heat and remove the bag from the mixture
- Let your bag cool down
- Add the sugar to taste (put in 1/2 of the sugar to start with then add and taste until you are happy)
- Return the mixture to the heat
- Let the sugar dissolve gently and completely while stirring so it doesn’t stick
- Squeeze out your bag into your mixture so you have as much pectin as possible.
- Bring your mixture back to the boil and test if frequently to see if it is at setting point. Use your thermometer to make sure it is hot enough and the plate method for setting. This will be about 104C to 110C (212-220F) or Once you are happy that it will set, remove once again from the heat
- Now let the mixture cool slightly
- Pop mixture into your heated and prepared jam jars. Put on lids and leave to cool. Lids should seal when they cool
What If I prefer a Smooth Shredless Marmalade?
If you prefer your marmalade sooth separate your juice from your rind. Pop your rind into a muslin bag and pop that into the mixture. You need the rind as that is high in pectin?
Can I Make this Recipe without Seville Oranges?
Yes, you can use normal oranges or clementines if you can’t get hold of Sevilles. However, these oranges do taste different so yo might want to reduce the sugar quantity. You may want to consider some pectin as well.
Recipe Method Two – How to Make Marmalade at Home Video Guide
Tips for getting the best Marmalade Possible
- Use Seville oranges
- Use organic oranges if possible, this is because you use the peel in the marmalade and you don’t want it to contain all the sprays that are sprayed on normal oranges.
- Shred your Peel for the best results
Why You should Freeze your Oranges
If you want to make more marmalade later in the year or you don’t want to make it when yous ee the oranges you can freeze your oranges to make sure you have some and to prolong their season. Freeze ones that are ripe but not too ripe for the best results.