Homemade Orange Blossom Marmalade, made with a handful of oranges, a twist of lemon, not much sugar and delicately scented orange blossom water.
What Is Marmalade?
Marmalade is simply a kiss of sunshine, spread onto whatever you want it on or in!
The most popular marmalade is made from the juice and peels of oranges, boiled in a little sugar. Once it thickens and caramelizes, it gets cooled to thicken into a jam-like spread.
Orange marmalade isn’t the only marmalade though.
Homemade marmalade gives us the options to make it from any or all citrus fruits.
What Is Orange Blossom?
When making marmalade, the sweet juice of the fruit makes for the liquid that will thicken when boiled with sugar.
Orange blossom water is a delicate flavor additive made from distilling the flower petals from orange trees.
It smells and tastes of the clean brightness of orange groves when the trees are in bloom with orange blossoms.
The after taste is likened to the slightly sweet, slightly bitter taste of an orange peel, with its zesty orange oils.
Since my heritage in Mediterranean, I tend to use orange blossom in a variety of my recipes:
Orange Blossom Marmalade
Store bought marmalade is made from oranges (or other citrus), lots of sugar and water.
I find most brands to be heavily ladened with sugar and only a light flavor of citrus.
Adding a splash of orange blossom to the marmalade, as it is almost finished simmering, immediately brightens the flavor and smell.
Flavor From The Blossoms Of The Orange Tree
I can think of no other flavor, added to marmalade that compliments, and wouldn’t detract from the fruit flavor itself.
Nothing enhances the flavor of citrus better than to use a splash of essence derived from the fruit’s blossoms itself!
I prefer to use as little sugar as I can get away with, though you do need some in order to form a jam-like syrup in the marmalade.
Why Make Homemade Marmalade?
Before 2020 I probably would never have given much attention to making my own marmalade.
My British hubby is the one who devours jars of orange marmalade on his morning toast, monthly.
But then, after the changes we are all still living with, since 2020, things changed in the retail industry.
It became increasingly more difficult to find and buy a quality orange marmalade.
So, I tried my hand at making it myself, and my goodness does it taste so much richer than store-bought.
Uses For Orange Marmalade
Besides my hubby’s morning toast, I have experimented with so many other uses for this refreshing marmalade.
Can you believe how scrumptious a homemade Cranberry and Orange Sorbet is, using this homemade orange blossom marmalade?
After the heavy meals we tend to eat in the colder months, this sorbet is bright in flavor, refreshing and yet still the flavors we crave during the holiday seasons.
And yes, I just had to create 2 cakes with my orange blossom marmalade.
One is Flourless Almond Orange Cake and the other is Coconut and Citrus Cake made with orange blossom marmalade.
These two cakes are now my favorite citrus cakes of all times!
How To Make Homemade Orange Blossom Marmalade
Since all of the citrus is being used, orange pulp, orange juice and orange rinds, the preparation is easy.
Basically, we just chop them into tiny pieces, taking care to get all the juices into the pan.
The remaining ingredients are simmered into the citrus, until it deepens in color and thickens.
The orange blossom is added at the end, so as not to cook out its delicate flavor.
Last, it is transferred into glass jars and stored in the fridge, or frozen, if you made a huge batch.
During the holiday months I tend to buy lots of clementines and oranges so this orange marmalade was a great way to repurpose them.
More Homemade Jams You’re Sure To Love
Depending on the season, I love to make a fresh fruit jam to incorporate into lots of recipes.
- Homemade Savory Or Sweet Fig Jam – Homemade Savory Or Sweet Fig Jam With chilies, garlic and bourbon or simply sweet fresh figs.
- Homemade Thyme Strawberry Jam – A balance of sweet and sour, with the earthiness of thyme.
Equipment Needed
- Saucepan
- Chopping knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring cup
- Measuring spoons
- Glass storage jars with lids
- Stovetop
Ingredients Needed
- Oranges
- Lemon
- Sugar
- Orange blossom water
- Water
Homemade Orange Blossom Marmalade
Homemade Orange Blossom Marmalade, made with a handful of oranges, a twist of lemon, not much sugar and delicately scented orange blossom water.
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Cutting board with knife
- Airtight container
Ingredients
- 2 cups Oranges chopped
- 1/4 cup Lemon chopped
- 1/2 cup Sugar
- 1 tsp Orange blossom water or to taste
- 1/4 cup Water
Instructions
- Wash the oranges and lemon. Peel the oranges and cut the peels into very thin strips. Do the same with the lemon. Rough chop the pulp from both oranges and lemon slices and put into a medium saucepan, along with the peels, taking care not to lose any of the juices.
- Add the sugar and water and bring to a boil on medium high heat. Lower and simmer until the mixture begins to look thick and deeper in color, almost caramelized.
- Add the orange blossom water and simmer for another minute. Turn off and cool enough to transfer to glass jars with a lid. Cool completely and store in the fridge.
Video
Notes
- Will keep up to a month in the fridge or can be frozen for several months.
I believe the table... that place that draws people to gather, is the most powerful symbol of togetherness. All that happens before the table is set, the planning, the gathering, the preparing, are all an intricate part of the dance that create the mood of celebration to share with friends and loved ones.