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Marmalade

language culture Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Marmalade is a sweet and tangy fruit preserve. It has a texture very similar to jam. Most people make it using the juice and peel of citrus fruits.

Marmalade spread on bread
Marmalade spread on bread

This combination of fruit and peel creates a unique flavor profile. While jam is often smooth, marmalade is defined by its citrus components. The bitter orange is a very popular choice for this preserve. It is favored because of its high pectin content. Pectin is a natural substance that helps the mixture become thick. A careful balance between fruit acid and pectin is required for the correct consistency. If a fruit has naturally low pectin, makers may add it to ensure a proper set.

The creation of citrus marmalade generally follows five specific steps. First, the fruit must be thoroughly washed and peeled. Next, the peel undergoes a pre-treatment process. This stage is used for de-bittering the peel or for sugar-dipping. After the peel is prepared, the juice and peel are mixed together. The final step is boiling the mixture with sugar and water.

FollowsAndBateMarmaladeCutter
FollowsAndBateMarmaladeCutter

White sugar, or sucrose, is the traditional sweetener used in most recipes. However, some makers use sugar substitutes like sucralose, aspartame, or saccharin. The choice of substitute often depends on heat stability and aftertaste. Some producers also add artificial dyes or flavoring agents to enhance the appearance and aroma.

While we think of citrus today, the history of marmalade is much broader. Originally, marmalade was made from quince fruit. In the 1500s, this quince version was imported to England from Spain and Italy. It was a firm, sticky, reddish paste known as quince cheese.

Mary Kettilby's A Collection of Above Three Hundred Receipts book (year 1714) (page 78-79)
Mary Kettilby's A Collection of Above Three Hundred Receipts book (year 1714) (page 78-79)

Historically, the term was also used for non-citrus preserves. These included versions made from mango, pineapple, apricot, or even cocoa beans. In the 21st century, the definition has shifted. Today, the term refers almost exclusively to jam made with citrus fruits.

Specific people and places helped shape the marmalade we eat today. Mary Kettilby published a cookery book in 1714 called "A Collection of Above Three Hundred Receipts." Her book contained one of the first printed recipes for orange marmalade. In the 18th century, the Scots transformed the preserve. They added more water to the recipe to make it less solid than the old quince pastes. This change allowed the Scots to establish marmalade as a standard breakfast item. Soon, the rest of Britain followed this culinary trend.

Mary Kettilby's A Collection of Above Three Hundred Receipts book (year 1714) (page 78-79)
Mary Kettilby's A Collection of Above Three Hundred Receipts book (year 1714) (page 78-79)

Many famous companies have built legacies around this product. In 1864, James and Marion Robertson founded Robertson's in Paisley, Scotland. They became famous for their "Golden Shred" marmalade.

JamesRobertson
JamesRobertson

Another major producer, Keiller, began in Dundee. James Keiller and his mother, Janet, ran a small shop that eventually produced "Dundee Marmalade." In 1874, the Frank Cooper business in Oxford also began manufacturing marmalade. While it started by serving only Oxford students, it eventually expanded across England and abroad. These businesses helped turn a simple preserve into a global industry.

Marmalade also holds a special place in popular culture. The fictional character Paddington Bear is famous for his love of marmalade. He even keeps it in his hat to eat later.

"Bear Necessities" Paddington Bear, Great Russell Street - geograph.org.uk - 4262782
"Bear Necessities" Paddington Bear, Great Russell Street - geograph.org.uk - 4262782

This connection is so strong that the 2014 "Paddington" movie caused a slight increase in marmalade sales in the United Kingdom. The word itself has a long linguistic journey. It comes from the French word, which came from the Portuguese word. This traces back to the Greek term for "sweet apple." This etymology connects the modern preserve to ancient descriptions of fruit.

The commerce of preserves is a massive global market. As of 2021, the international market for jams and preserves was valued at US$ 8.46 billion. This value is expected to grow to nearly US$ 9.90 billion by 2027. This represents an average annual growth rate of about 3.5 percent. Different countries also have specific legal rules for what can be called marmalade. In Canada, the regulations state that if pectin is added, the product must contain at least 27% citrus components. In the United States, marmalade must contain at least 65 percent soluble solids to meet specific grades.

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File:Mary Kettilby's A Collection of Above Three Hundred Receipts book (year 1714) (page 78-79).png
Mary Kettilby's A Collection of Above...
File:FollowsAndBateMarmaladeCutter.jpg
FollowsAndBateMarmaladeCutter.jpg
File:Marmalade spread on bread.jpg
Marmalade spread on bread.jpg
File:JamesRobertson.jpg
JamesRobertson.jpg
File:"Bear Necessities" Paddington Bear, Great Russell Street - geograph.org.uk - 4262782.jpg
"Bear Necessities" Paddington Bear, Great...
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