Hi John,
Yes, it is the pith in citrus that is pectin-rich. Definitely leave the pith on when making marmalade. The white stuff pretty much disappears when boiling, but it is what thickens the marmalade. You can make citrus pectin by soaking then boiling just the citrus pith, not the peel, just the pith, then straining it. That resulting pectin can be used in other recipes.
]]>YUZU is a sour, unique flavored citrus fruit that looks like an orange but is not an orange. It makes an outstanding marmalade. Some folks think yuzu is better than orange for marmalade. I do not know about that, they are different citrus flavors.
KUMQUATS also make excellent marmalade. They are so small, just quarter them, remove the seeds and let them soak in water. This is my favorite for marmalade. Kumquats and duck is a marriage made in heaven. Simmer kumquat marmalade, add a splash of vinegar, a hot chili pepper and some grated ginger together. Use it to top grilled and sliced duck breasts.
CALAMANSI (aka calamondin) might also work for a marmalade. Like kumquat, it is a small fruit that has the sweet and sour citrus thing going on. But I have never gotten enough of them to give marmalade a go. I have only had calamansi juice. I would love to try it as a marmalade.
There are probably other sour citrus beside the Seville orange that would make great marmalade.
]]>I love your stories, as much as the recipes, and enjoy the beautiful photos. I made last winter several batches of Marmalade,which came out tasty, pure orange colour, and everything else you promised. I wished I could send you a jar, but me living in Jerusalem, made it complicated. As I was reading the stories you wrote, I checked the botanical name of the Seville orange, and realized I had one in my garden. I never managed to get any good jam out of it, (and I make all kinds of them). In israel this orange tree had been used for many years as the base, onto which was grafted some branches of tastier, more delicate kinds of citrus trees. Mine was an old base, that”returned to its wild past”, probably because of overrunning, and looking at your pictures, I thought that this Seville orange wS really living happily in my garden..
Thanks again, and I think I’ll try your lady fingers