NEW ITEM
This new Trader Joe’s item is kind of good news if you are a ORANGE MARMALADE fan. Again, “kind of”
Trader Joe’s used to sell a really good marmalade. Their SEVILLE ORANGE MARMALADE was terrific. Outstanding. A proper marmalade made with Seville Oranges. It was one of the best orange marmalades I ever had. I loved it. Unfortunately Trader Joe’s famously discontinued it (back in 2019). Argh!!.
My review of that marmalade plus the fact that they had discontinued an outstanding product, happens to be one of the most Commented posts on this entire site. One of the biggest RANTS here. Everyone who loved it and used to buy it was pissed as hell that they discontinued it. People were shocked, aghast, angry and dismayed that an excellent product got the ax, and wrote in the Comments here to voice that anger. Over 80 people took the time and effort to Comment and complain.
Well guess what? About 5 years after they discontinued it, Trader Joe’s has just come out with this NEW ITEM. Trader Joe’s Seville Orange Marmalade Fruit Spread (ok, its “marmalade fruit spread”) Frankly I was pretty surprised to see it . I had to try it and review it. While not exactly the same, it is orange marmalade and I do find it very tasty. But! Its a “fruit spread” (meaning not as thick and tight)
The new marmalade fruit spread is a product of Belgium. That older (true) marmalade was from Canada.
So how is it? Its a bit of a mixed bag. It is orange marmalade made from Seville oranges and actually tasty. Is it as good as the old one? There are some obvious differences, the first being the added words “fruit spread”.
A) VISCOSITY: This is looser than that original marmalade. A “fruit spread” is not as tight / thick as jam or marmalade. This contains apple juice concentrate for one thing. It is much less viscous (thick) Runnier than a true marmalade.
B) SIZE. The original Seville Orange marmalade came in a big jar of about 17 ounces. This jar is just 7.5 ounces. Less than half the size of that old marmalade. Yet it costs about the same. So twice the price of the old one, and as less thick so will you use a bit more?
The ingredients on the old one (pictured below with a yellow green label) were: SUGAR, SEVILLE ORANGE PEEL, SEVILLE ORANGE JUICE. Plus pectin , the natural gelling agent in fruit.
This version lists sugar and Seville oranges but also apple juice from concentrate as the ingredient after Seville oranges. Which is why I assume this is described as ORANGE MARMALADE FRUIT SPREAD and not simply “Marmalade”. Now Trader Joe’s says something about this, and even puts a positive spin on it….
https://www.traderjoes.com/home/products/pdp/seville-orange-marmalade-fruit-spread-079516
“A great marmalade is a bit of a balancing act. First, you’ve got to balance the sweetness of the fruit juice and sugar involved with the tartness of the citrus and bitterness of the orange rind. Then, you’ve got to find just the right balance of fruit and rind within the physical makeup of the marmalade—too much fruit, and it’s more like a jelly, too much rind, and it’s an overly-chewy mess. Luckily, when we decided to bring in a seasonal Seville Orange Marmalade Fruit Spread to our shelves, we had some real experts in our corner. Made by the same supplier in Belgium who previously demonstrated their mastery of balance with our Apricot Cardamom and Green Tea Yuzu spreads, this sweet, citric, and properly proportioned Marmalade is a triumph of harmonious flavors and textures on the palate.” – Trader Joe’s
So while I I like the taste of TJ’s new “orange marmalade fruit spread” of course as a fruit spread it’s not as thick as it would be called just “orange marmalade”. I’m glad I can buy something akin to orange marmalade at Trader Joe’s again, period. But. Its a tiny jar. My jar went fast. Again, so a bit of a mixed bag.
Cost: This small 7.5 oz jar will go much faster than the 17 oz one of course especially as its not as thick and concentrated. The new marmalade costs more than double what the old one cost. Granted it was 2019 but the old bigger jar went for $3.50.
Some people might actually like this “marmalade fruit spread” who may not like the (thicker) more intense versions of marmalade they might have tried in the past. There is a whole “thick cut” versus “thin cut” camp. I suspect TJ’s is trying to please more people with this version? If you are a marmalade lover, at least this is worth trying, even if not “ideal” for the true English marmalade lover.
Spread this new Marmalade fruit spread on an English Muffin or an English Crumpet with butter for breakfast.
Besides muffins or toast, try this on top of cottage cheese as Trader Joe’s suggests. I tried it and thats a nice match.
Trader Joe’s SEVILLE ORANGE MARMALADE FRUIT SPREAD $2.99 (7.5 oz)
So I give this a mixed thumbs up.
Let us know what you think in the Comments!
PS – Over the years I used to make my own orange Marmalade I gave to friends for an Xmas gift. Want to try your hand it it? Here’s a recipe
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