In this feature, we peel back the layers of the marmalade market, revealing the bittersweet challenges of creating the perfect orange marmalade. It’s a tale of tradition meeting innovation, where food manufacturers must navigate the complexities of flavour, texture, and health. Through the lens of functional ingredients, we uncover the secrets to turning these challenges into opportunities. Dive in and discover how to elevate your marmalade, ensuring each jar bursts with nutritious, high-quality goodness.
Orange Marmalade Market
Marmalade, the beloved fruit preserve, combines the juice and peel of citrus fruits boiled with sugar and water. It can feature kumquats, lemons, limes, grapefruits, mandarins, sweet oranges, bergamots, or a mix of these vibrant fruits. As health-conscious consumers move away from artificial additives, the demand for natural spreads is on the rise. Manufacturers are responding by using natural flavourings, preservatives, and sweeteners to extend shelf life while meeting this growing preference for cleaner, healthier options3.
Rising Popularity of Natural and Fruit-based Spreads
The rising popularity of natural and fruit-based spreads is the main factor driving the global market. In keeping with this, the market is also being stimulated by the extensive availability of a variety of citrus fruits and the rising consumer interest in gourmet cuisine. Furthermore, the industry is seeing considerable development due to the sector’s rapid increase in breakfast goods that have distinctive flavour characteristics1.
Additionally, the expanding food and beverage sector, which uses orange marmalade as a key ingredient, is spurring investment in high-quality, innovative products. The demand for ready-to-eat options, combined with the accessibility of these products and the influence of international culinary trends, is creating significant opportunities for growth in the industry1.
Bitter Challenges for Sweet Spreads Production
High in Sugar: In today’s health-conscious world, sugar reduction in sweet spreads is a major focus. Manufacturers face the tough challenge of cutting sugar without losing the all-important taste. Excessive sugar intake is linked to health issues such as weight gain, tooth decay, and a higher risk of chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes4.
“Two-thirds of consumers are willing to pay more for reduced-sugar offerings2”
Go All Natural: Beyond reducing sugar, there’s a rising demand for natural and organic spreads. Consumers are increasingly drawn to clean-label products that reflect their sustainable values and health goals. As people scrutinise ingredient lists more closely, fruit ingredients offer the perfect solution, providing natural colour, sweetness, and flavour. Equally crucial is sourcing from suppliers who deliver high-quality, sustainably certified ingredients, ensuring that every fruit in the supply chain meets stringent standards4.
Flavour Consistency: Maintaining the flavour of marmalade over time can be challenging. Exposure to light, air, and varying temperatures can cause oxidation, altering the taste. Proper storage in airtight, opaque containers is essential to preserve flavour. The quality and ripeness of the fruit used are also crucial; overripe or underripe fruits can result in a less desirable taste.
Low Vitamin and Mineral Content: Some marmalades include citrus peel, which can contribute some fiber and minerals, but the overall contribution is generally small. Adding sugar also dilutes the concentration of vitamins and minerals in the final product. The higher the sugar content, the lower the relative amount of nutrients per serving. Many vitamins, particularly vitamin C, are sensitive to heat. The cooking process required to make marmalade can significantly reduce the levels of these vitamins.
Solutions for Healthy Marmalade
Solution Categories | Solution Functions | Solution Featured Ingredients |
Isomaltulose & Isomalt | · Half the calories of sugar · Sucrose-like natural sweetness without any aftertaste · Naturally derived from sugar beet · Low digestible carbohydrates · Tooth-friendly, does not promote tooth decay · Good flowability, achieve consistence texture · High process stable | Isomalt GS |
Inulin & Oligofructose | · Increase intestinal bifidobacteria · Healthy Intestinal Environment · Prebiotic · Weight Management · Reduction of Blood Glucose Response | Orafti HSI |
Vitamins & Minerals | · Delivers additional sources of minerals & vitamins for · Aids in improving immunity | Fortivit-CNF-185, Zinc Sulphate Monohydrate |
Monk Fruit Juice Concentrate | · Boost the sweetness of the product using natural ingredients · Labelled as food, not a food additive · Fruit Source gives the clean label · No bitterness, astringency and off-notes · compared to alternatives in the market · pH and heat stable | Monk Fruit JC (MFC-J3.5) |
Serving Up a Healthier Marmalade
Capture Modern Consumers with Healthier Mandarin Marmalade
Discover the perfect fusion of tradition and innovation with our marmalade! This classic versatile sweet spread pairs effortlessly with a variety of breads and bakes, including the beloved Chinese Mantou.
Responding to the growing demand for variety, new gastronomic experiences, and healthier choices, we’ve brought together East and West. Our traditional English marmalade now boasts a refreshing mandarin orange twist, perfectly complementing the delicate steamed Mantou bun.
We’ve taken a health-centric approach, using functional ingredients to elevate our marmalade to a new level. Our enhanced recipe supports digestive health, boosts energy metabolism, and promotes overall vitality—all while being completely sugar-free.
At DPO International, a full-suite market enabler for food businesses, we work in tandem with specialized food ingredient producers such as Beneo, Hexagon, Scentium, and Monk Fruit Crop to help you transform these trends into innovative product concepts. We are with you from ideation to the manufacturing stage, providing solutions and support throughout each phase.
