The couple behind the “world’s best marmalade” have revealed they are thinking of expanding their preserve empire.
Helen and Bob Pass, who own Dalqueich Farmhouse, in Milnathort, Kinross-shire, came first at the World Marmalade Awards with her home-made orange, apricot and amaretto “jamalade”.
The couple are now considering selling the £2 pots online to cater for international demand. They could also pen a book containing their extensive collection of marmalade recipes, which include mulled rum and brandy pudding.
Helen said: “Our visitors come and they take them because they like them. Last year they went to Japan and Russia and the States, so they go all over the world.
“It would be nice to do something else with them because I’m sure that people really enjoy them. Selling them online is a good idea.
“We have had requests a guest from Canada said: ‘I can’t take any with me but I want them, would you post them to me?’
“We love making jams and marmalades. We could write our own recipe book because we have so many original recipes. We do keep notes of everything and it’s something that guests have suggested to us over the years.
“People email us and ask us for recipes and everyone goes away with the recipe for the award-winning one because they like it so much so we always keep copies of that one.
“We get letters from people who have never tried making marmalade before a lady in Canada wrote to tell us how successful it was. Our daughters call it ‘jamalade’ because it’s between a jam and a marmalade.”
The awards, in the Lake District, saw the couple’s offering up against more than 3,000 entries from around the world.
The Dalqueich Farmhouse won the award after receiving high marks for the preserve’s appearance, colour, consistency, aroma as well as flavour.
Bob said: “We love experimentation and use the Flavour Thesaurus for getting new ideas and so on.Kirsty takes the taste testAs a bit of a self-confessed foodie (read glutton), I usually jump at the chance to sample food in the name of journalism but I’ve never really been a fan of marmalade.
After trying Helen and Bob Pass’s version, however, I have to say I’m a convert.
I had plenty of time to savour the flavours as photographer Dougie aimed for the perfect picture.
It’s a little silly to say but the closest thing I can liken it to is lemon curd but made of oranges.
The amaretto and apricots make it sweeter than the average marmalade, cutting through the bitterness I’ve long detested.
There is still a definite tang at the end, however, and this prevents it from becoming too sickly sweet.