We don’t have specific names for strawberry jam, plum jam or raspberry jam, sowhy is orange jam called marmalade? It may be a question that you’ve never considered before…In fact, the term ‘marmalade’ doesn’t really have a precise definition and you can play fast and loose with it when describing your preserves. Generally when we refer to marmalade, we are describing the orange preserve made using both the juice and peel. However, you can actually use it to describe any preserve made using the juice and peel of anycitrus fruit boiled with sugar and water.
Why Is Orange Jam Called Marmalade?
There are actually a couple of explanations for the term ‘marmalade’, but one theory sounds more plausible than the other. A lot of our modern English words has evolved over centuries of influence from Latin and other European languages, namely French and German. In the Old French language, an orange was referred to as a ‘marmalatice’. In Portuguese, ‘marmelada’ is the name for a fruit preserve made using quinces (a fruit that is similar to a pear). A combination of these words seems to be where our word ‘marmalade’ comes from.
The more outlandish origin story comes from Mary Queen Of Scots. Legend has it that she was sailing from Scotland to France and became seasick. The only thing that would soothe her stomach was orange jam. The French crew members wre heard saying ‘Mary est malade’ to each other (Mary is sick). The sailors were saying this phrase so often, it is believed that Mary Queen Of Scots thought that was what orange jam was called!
Marmalade Recipes
Seville Oranges are the best type of oranges to use to make marmalade, as they produce a bitter yet sweet taste. The Seville Orange season is short, running from the end of December to mid-February so you’d better stock up soon! You can even freeze these oranges so they can be enjoyed all year around or for use in recipes. If you have unwaxed Seville Oranges, make sure that you do not leave them in a fruit bowl for more than a week. They will become tough and unusable due to a loss of moisture if you do!
Classic Seville Orange Marmalade Recipe
This recipe only requires 3 basic ingredients and is the classic marmalade made famous by a certain bear from Peru. It’s absolutely perfect for slathering onto hot, buttery toast…
Ingredients needed: seville oranges (peel and juice), lemons (juice only) and granulated sugar.
Get the full recipe at BBC Good Food.
Orange & Whisky Marmalade Recipe
Prefer your preserves to have more of a kick? This whisky marmalade is the spread for you! As well as being great to enjoy at home, it would also make a fantastic gift for friends and family.
Ingredients needed:seville oranges (peel and juice), lemons (juice only), golden granulated sugar, light muscovado sugar, scotch whisky and unsalted butter.
Get the full recipe at Baking Mad.
Grapefruit Marmalade Recipe
This take on marmalade is simply the same as the classic marmalade recipe, but replaces the oranges with grapefruit. The end result is a more bitter, tangy preserve that pairs delightfully well with sourdough toast.
Ingredients needed: grapefruit (peel and juice), lemons (juice only) and granulated sugar.
Find the full recipe at Le Parfait.
Glass Marmalade Jars
Le Parfait Jars are ideal for storing your bulk batches of marmalade, thanks to their distinctive orange airtight rubber seals and vintage style. They come in 6 sizes: 500ml, 750ml, 1L, 1.5L, 2L and 3L.However if you’re looking for slightly cheaper glass jars, we also have a massive selection of these. This includes the 370ml Clear Glass Jar shown above, which is only 36p per unit and comes with a choice of 10 different lid designs! Make sure to browse through our whole selection of budget jars, jam jars, preserve jars and pickle jars in order to find the perfect jar for your marmalade.
Like our guide to all things marmalade? Then we think that you’ll love our biscuit trivia…
Posted on 18th Jan 2019 by Alysha Bennett in Entertainment, Interesting, Jars, Preserves, Recipes. Tags: cooking, did you know, facts, glass jam jars, marmalade, preserve jars, recipes.
FAQs
In the Old French language, an orange was referred to as a 'marmalatice'. In Portuguese, 'marmelada' is the name for a fruit preserve made using quinces (a fruit that is similar to a pear). A combination of these words seems to be where our word 'marmalade' comes from.
Why is it called marmalade and not orange jam? ›
Why is it called marmalade and not jam? The word “marmalade” is borrowed from the Portuguese ''marmelada''. Marmalades contain the peel of the fruit as opposed to the whole fruit which jam is made from.
Where did the name marmalade come from? ›
The name Marmalade comes from the Portuguese word Marmelos, a quince paste similar in texture to an orange spread popular long before the commercialization of marmalade in the late 18th century.
What do Americans call marmalade? ›
Do Americans eat marmalade, do they call it jam, jelly or preserve? yes, americans do eat marmalade! they don't call it jam, jelly or preserve, they call it marmalade — with the understanding that marmalade means a preserve made specifically with citrus peel.
Is marmalade always made with oranges? ›
Marmalade (from the Portuguese marmelada) is a fruit preserve made from the juice and peel of citrus fruits boiled with sugar and water. The well-known version is made from bitter orange. It is also made from lemons, limes, grapefruits, mandarins, sweet oranges, bergamots, and other citrus fruits, or a combination.
Why do Germans call jam marmalade? ›
Marmalade. In Germany, the term “Marmelade” is used to refer to almost all sweet spreads, but most of these are in fact jams and not marmalades. According to the EU definition, marmalade only refers to those spreads made of citrus fruits (e.g. orange, lemon, grapefruit), e.g. orange marmalade.
Why is it called jelly not jam? ›
Jams and jellies are both soft, sweet spreads made from fruit, sugar and pectin. The main difference between jam and jelly is that jam is made with fruit whereas jelly is made with fruit juice.
What is a fun fact about marmalade? ›
Most historians agree, however, that the name marmalade comes from the Portuguese word for quince, or marmelo, which was once a major ingredient, but over time Seville oranges replaced quince. Marmalade recipes date back to the 1500s, and it remains popular today in many parts of the world.
What was marmalade original name? ›
Marmalade are a Scottish pop rock band originating from the east end of Glasgow, originally formed in 1961 as The Gaylords, and then later billed as Dean Ford and the Gaylords, recording four singles for Columbia (EMI).
Who invented orange marmalade? ›
Orange marmalade, in the form that we think of it today, came about in the 18th century, with Scotland credited as the country of creation. The story goes that a Scottish grocer named James Keiller bought a bargain batch of bitter oranges from a Spanish boat sheltering in Dundee Harbour.
A popular dessert in Britain is a bowl of “jelly.” However, in America, “jelly” is something you put on bread — or what the British call “jam.” The American-English name for the dessert is “jello.”
What do Brits call cucumbers? ›
In the posh parts, they`re called cumbercues. The famous actor Benedict Cumberbatch`s family were the original growers of it. The first lot were called Cumber`s batch, hence the surname. Up north, the Geordies and Scousers call them green dild*es.
What do Canadians call jello? ›
In the United States and Canada, jelly is often called 'Jell-O'. Jell-O is a brand of gelatin that has become a generic, or typical, name for gelatin desert. In Commonwealth Nations like the United Kingdom and New Zealand, almost all gelatin is called jelly.
Why do you soak oranges overnight for marmalade? ›
Leave to soak overnight. This helps to extract the maximum amount of pectin from the fruit pulp, which will give a better set.
What is the secret ingredient in marmalade? ›
Pectin is key
“Mandarin marmalade is harder to make; mandarins don't have as much pectin. Lemons are really good. A lemon and ginger marmalade's a really nice one to make, lots of pectin, so that one will set easily.
Why is marmalade bitter? ›
Marmalade is made from Seville oranges, which are bitter. If you already have a marmalade which you find too bitter, you can blend it with a sweeter one. This is best done with both of them hot and runny, but be very careful: mishandling can cause serious burns. Use gloves or a cloth to hold the jars.
What is the difference between marmalade and orange preserves? ›
Preserves can be held in loose syrup, or they might be jammier in nature; and because sugar acts as a way to preserve the fruit, the name "preserves" is quite literal, indeed. Marmalade is a type of preserves made with citrus. It includes the rinds in addition to the fruit and pulp.
What's the difference between marmalade and marmelade? ›
Marmalade is a citrus fruit preserve primarily made with oranges, while Marmelada is made from quinces. Marmalade has a chunky, gel-like texture with a tart and slightly bitter flavor, while Marmelada has a dense and smooth consistency with a sweet and floral taste.
Why are Seville oranges used for marmalade? ›
If you've ever made marmalade with Seville oranges, you'll know that their skin is incredibly thick and pithy, and that's the real secret behind why these oranges, in particular, make the best marmalade. The skins of Seville oranges are naturally very rich in pectin, which is needed for a good set in any preserve.
