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aranjas: The Magic of Seville Oranges & Marmalade

Winter is finally arriving, and once again, I’ve fallen in love with him. He is round, dimpled-skinned, and bitter, the Seville orange, or naranja as it is known in Spain.

The word naranja originates from ancient Sanskrit, meaning "fragrant." If you ever get the chance to visit Spain in the spring, cities like Seville, Córdoba, and Málaga are filled with the intoxicating aroma of azahar (orange blossom). You will fall in love with the flower before you even taste the fruit.

Now back in not-so-sunny England, I find myself dreaming of oranges. My mind naturally turns to marmalade making. As any passionate marmalade maker will tell you, it’s all about the personal process and rituals that make each batch special. Whether using hand-me-down recipes passed down through generations, modern online twists, or clippings from old magazines, every single jar tells a story.

My own ritual begins on page 50 of Nigel Slater’s Kitchen Diaries II. His writing reads like a poem to me, and he is a true national treasure who brings recipes to life so vividly you feel compelled to start cooking immediately.

Reading page 50 fills my head with memories—even without an orange in the room, I can smell the fresh zest in the air. I smile at his misfortune as citrus juice hits his rose-pruned thumbs, which always gently reminds me that it’s time to prune my own roses! My childhood memories instantly leap off the page: tasting warm marmalade straight out of the pan and watching my mum tend to her rose garden. It is a moment of pure comfort, and I am so thankful for that page.

Cooking marmalade leaves me happy and contented in my kitchen, knowing these jars will soon be enjoyed on morning toast, baked into cakes, stirred into cocktails, or eaten straight out of the jar with a spoon.

If you feel inspired, head to your local store, grab a crate of organic Seville oranges, and take the time to make your own batch. Let a little sunshine into your kitchen!

A Few Fun Facts About Oranges

• Export Powerhouse: Spain exports around 150 million tonnes of oranges each year, with an incredible 15,000 tonnes of Seville oranges shipped directly to the UK for marmalade! No wonder Paddington Bear left Peru for London.

• Botanical Name: Oranges are technically a type of berry. Sweet oranges belong to the species Citrus sinensis, while bitter Seville oranges are Citrus aurantium.

• Ancient Origins: Bitter oranges originated as wild fruit in South West China and North East India as early as 2,500 BC. For thousands of years, they were prized primarily for their fragrance rather than their taste.

• Spanish History: Moors introduced bitter oranges to Spain over a thousand years ago—¡no puedo agradecerles lo suficiente! (I can't thank them enough!).

• Blood Oranges: Known as naranjas sanguinas, these are another firm favorite of mine and taste fantastic in seasonal cocktails.