The best Seville orange marmalade

One of my most important must haves is marmalade. I always need to have at least one unopened jar in pantry to feel at ease. Making marmalade is not difficult, but quite time consuming. A perfect activity for a rainy and cold January afternoon. It’s great to have a good podcast or audiobook to hand.

Here’s what you need for 1 batch (makes 10 200ml jars. You can of course use different sizes)

1 kg Seville oranges

Juice from 1 organic lemon

2 l of water

1.75 kg sugar

Tools:

1 large saucepan

A muslin cloth

Juice press

Chopping board and knife

Glass jars

Wash the oranges well under warm water. Cut all the oranges in half and juice them. Pour the juice into the saucepan. Place the seeds in the muslin cloth. Scrape out the membranes from the orange peels using your hands or a spoon and place it in the muslin cloth. Tie up the cloth tightly using kitchen twine. Place it in the saucepan together with the orange juice.

Slice the peel into coarse or thin shreds, depending on what you like. Personally I like I slightly thicker cut as it adds a nice bitterness to the marmalade. You don’t need to use all the peel if you don’t want. Add it to the saucepan along with water and lemon juice.

Being to boil and keep boiling at medium heat until the liquid has reduced by half. This usually takes about 2 hours.

Remove from heat and add the sugar. Stir it in gently. Place the saucepan back on the cooker and heat gently until sugar has dissolved. Then increase the heat and bring to boil.

Sterilise the jars by placing them in the oven at 100 degrees for 30 minutes.

Put a plate in the fridge (you will be using this to make sure the marmalade is set)

Keep boiling the marmalade until it reaches setting point. Put a little bit of marmalade on the cold plate. If you can trace your finger through the marmalade and the marmalade stays in place, you know it’s done.

Remove from heat and remove any scum from the top. Leave to settle for about 10 minutes. This will ensure the peel will spread more evenly.

Pour into the warm sterilised jars. It really helps to use a jam funnel but there’s no need. Just less messy:)

My goal image right now; to sit out in the garden and enjoy a slice of toasted sourdough bread with butter and marmalade. It’s goals like these that make January bearable.