Orange marmalade is a sweet jam made with fruit, sugar, and citrus peel. It has ancient origins and can be made at home. It is popular as a bread spread and in various foods. The ingredients are simple and it can be stored for up to 18 months. It has a chunky texture and can be used in marinades and sauces. Other citrus fruits and spices can be added, but they may no longer be considered jams.
Orange marmalade is a type of fruit jam that includes citrus peel. Most people associate marmalade specifically with citrus fruits, although it can also be made with other fruits such as strawberries. This jam is sweet with fruit and added sugar, with a pinch of acidity from the peels included. It is popular as a bread spread and as an ingredient in various foods, from desserts to roasts. Many markets carry jam, especially in the UK, and it can also be made at home.
The origins of this reserve are quite ancient. The Greeks and Romans, for example, both realized that pectin-rich fruits could be cooked with honey to form a jelly-like jam and stored in airtight containers for an extended period of time. These preserves literally preserved the fruit for future use. The modern word “marmalade” is believed to come from the Portuguese jam, a word for quince jam. When orange marmalade made the transition from quince to citrus is unknown, but in the 17th century, the British were making citrus marmalades, especially with Seville oranges from Spain.
The ingredients of a real jam are simply fruit, orange peel, sugar and water. In some cases, the pectin will be added to encourage the jam to set, when the fruit isn’t naturally high in it. The rinds are first cooked to soften them before the fruit and sugar are added, then the preservative is placed in sterilized jars, immersed in a boiling water bath, and allowed to sit for several days before use. It can keep up to 18 months in cool, dry conditions, although most people prefer to use the jam within a year.
Typically, the jam is light in color and has a chunky texture from the pieces of crust included. It’s almost like a jelly, although it has a slightly thicker spreadable consistency. In addition to being served on toast and scones, marmalade can be layered into cakes and mixed into other dishes. It is also used in marinades and sauces in some regions of the world.
Orange marmalade remains the marmalade par excellence, although it is perfectly acceptable to use lemons and other citrus fruits as well. Some people prefer to use candied orange peel, as it’s sweeter, and others add ginger, cinnamon, cloves, or other spices to their jams. Strictly speaking, these preserves are no longer considered jams due to the added or substituted ingredients.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
