The History
This delicious preserve was invented in Scotland, in the port of Dundee in the late 18th century when a local victualler, James Keiller discovered a cargo of oranges being sold cheaply. Thinking he could sell it for profit in his shop, he bought the whole cargo, only to discover the oranges were bitter and therefore unsellable.In despair his wife took them home with the idea of making a jam. The resulting “jam” was hugely successful and was named Marmalade after Marmelos, a Portuguese word for a quince paste similar in texture to the orange spread. Marmalade is still produced today by the Keiller Company in Dundee.
Types of Orange Marmalade
There are endless varieties of Marmalade and arguments abound at the breakfast table to personal preferences. Amongst the most popular are:Thick Cut – the orange peel in the jelly is cut into thick chunks creating a tangy bitter flavor.
Thin Cut – the orange peel is shredded finely resulting in a softer flavor and texture.
Flavored – endless varieties with added flavors; whisky, Grand Marnier, ginger, or a mixture of citrus fruits.
Vintage – marmalade left to mature for a denser, richer flavor.
Black – made by the adding of brown sugar or black molasses.
