Food: Take advantage of the season with pots of zesty orangey sunshine

THE Seville orange season is all too brief, and we need to make the most of it during these few weeks when we can buy these delectable oranges. M

Marmalade means different things to different people – some adore the bitter, dark variety, while others prefer a fresh, fruity jelly, containing other citrus fruit as well as the Sevilles. Marmalade can be flavoured with whisky, ginger, honey or spices.

For seven years now there has been a marmalade-making competition held in the North Lakes, near Ullswater, hosted at the exceptionally beautiful Dalemain Mansion. Founded by Jane Hasell-McCosh, the World’s Original Marmalade Awards gives the lie to the claim that the British no longer bother to make marmalade. Entries flood in from across the country. The closing date for entries in the amateur category is 19 February, see www.marmaladeawards.com for more.