Marmalade Gold

During the National Trust’s 2018 Australian Marmalade Festival, held at Beaumont House on 7th October, Riverland oranges and Coromandel Valley pears helped home marmalade maker Bev Harper to golden heights.

In addition to individual gold for two marmalade-with-a-twist flavours (lemon, lime and ginger; and pear and lime), Bev’s Seville and Poorman’s Orange marmalade won its category and earned her the Champion’s medal.

There were almost 300 entries from around the nation in this year’s Marmalade Festival, so Bev’s achievement is very special.

Waikerie citrus grower Mike Arnold donated the oranges to help Bev whip up her marmalade as a fundraiser for the National Trust’s Coromandel Valley & Districts Branch. Her jars of deliciousness are a “must have” in many pantries, not only in the local area – more than 200 were sold during the Marmalade Festival.

The judges were Jane Hasell-McCosh of the UK’s Dalemain Estate, who started the World’s Original Marmalade Awards in her homeland some 12 years ago, and Stephen Downes, Head Cook for renowned SA jam maker Beerenberg.

Negotiations are now underway for Beerenberg to use Bev’s winning orange marmalade recipe for a limited production run as a fundraiser for National Trust SA.