A Co Wexford jam and marmalade company has won a major award for its Seville marmalade.
This is the second time that New Ross based Wexford Home Preserves, owned and run by Laura and Tom Sinnott, has won gold for this particular marmalade. What’s even more, they’ve also won the coveted three gold star award in the Great Taste Awards two years in a row for this very same marmalade.
Tom and Laura regularly take themselves, along with their children Lila and Robbie, to visit the family that runs the Gospa Citrus fruit farm in Seville where orange is picked by hand to avoid damaging this beautiful fruit. All of the Seville oranges they use are organic.
Tom, Laura and the team at the top of Hook Lighthouse.
They prepare the fruit by hand. These days, this practice is unusual because it takes up valuable time in the business but Tom and Laura see the value of it in the different in quality it makes to their marmalades, jams and the relishes and chutneys they make.
There are no artificial preservatives, flavourings or sweeteners allowed anywhere near any of their products. Everything is 100pc natural. They even make their own pectin or setting agent from the fruit used.
All of their marmalades and other products are made in smaller batches using the open pan boiling method. This is a more traditional way of cooking that gives a lovely consistency, just like home made.
The team at Wexford Home Preserves were delighted to win gold in the World Marmalade Awards for their handmade Seville Orange Marmalade, along with two silver awards for their handmade Three Fruit Marmalade and their handmade Organic Sicilian Orange Marmalade and a bronze Award for their handmade Orange Marmalade. Their handmade Irish Whiskey Marmalade was also commended.
Tom and Laura said: “We are so grateful to our brilliant suppliers, Gospa Citrus and to Paddy and all of the team here in our batch kitchen in New Ross. The dedication to quality, whatever it takes, is what makes the big difference between our products and others. Of course, thank you to our customers – we always have the customers in mind when we make our marmalade. We hope you get great pleasure from it!”
As well as online through www.wexfordpreserves.ie, Wexford Home Preserves’ marmalade and other preserves can be purchased in good food shops nationwide. For the full list of Artisan Marmalade Awards visit www.marmaladeawards.com.