Fattoria Sicilsole Organic Marmalades

While in Germany lakes and rivers are freezing up, ripe oranges hang from the trees in Sicily. The landscape of the largest Mediterranean island is dominated by two things: Plantations with citrus fruits and Mount Etna. Oranges and lemons have been cultivated for centuries around this unpredictable volcano. The volcanic ash of past eruptions has made the soil extremely fertile. Together with many hours of sunshine and the Mediterranean climate ideal conditions of growth arise. The numerous orange trees are also a paradise for bees that collect the nectar of the orange blossoms. It's hardly surprising that almost 20% of the Italian honey is produced around Mount Etna.

The citrus trees, for which Sicily is world famous, originally aren't native plants. When the Greeks began to build colonies on the island in the 6th century BC, they only planted olive trees. After the Romans conquered Sicily, the region became one of the most important grain suppliers of the empire. In the following centuries the island was taken by the Vandals, the Goths, the Byzantines and finally by the Arabs. They brought the technical achievements of the Orient to Sicily. They used water towers and water reservoirs to maintain complex irrigation systems. As a result of the substantial increase in harvest yields, agriculture experienced a long-lasting upturn. Conveniently, Sicily was situated halfway between Spain and the major ports in the East, like for example Alexandria. Because of this central location, the island became a major trading post. With the ships from the Middle East the first oranges and lemons came to Sicily. After first cultivation successes, they quickly settled there. Today, they look back to almost 1,000 years of success.

At the southern foot of Mount Etna lies the famous Baroque town of Catania. In the harvest season you can enjoy fresh pressed orange juice at many street booths. And, of course, you can also purchase plenty of ripe lemons, oranges and tangerines. The taste of these fruits is a real revelation for many visitors to Sicily, because unlike the citrus fruits from the supermarket, they ripened on the tree. Most oranges that are available in the Western world are harvested unripe. Before being delivered to the shops, they receive their typical orange color only in maturing chambers. Some fruits, e.g. bananas are bletting inside after picking. Thus starch is gradually converted into sugar, which makes the fruit sweeter. Inside of the orange, though, nothing happens after harvesting. Therefore, oranges which are harvested ripe have a more intense flavor than the export-fruits produced by the agricultural industry. The Sicilians certainly do not doubt that they have the world's best oranges. And because they grow directly in front of their house, the Sicilians make remarkably good marmalades from them.

Start into your day delightfully with the organic marmalades and organic jams by Fattoria Sicilsole. The specialties produced in Sicily are traditionally cultivated on the slopes of Mount Etna and convince with their unique and fruity aroma. Orange lovers can choose between the varieties Bitter Orange, Orange and Blood Orange. With a fruit content of 45 g per 100 g marmalade, you can look forward to an intense and refreshing fruit experience. The Fattoria Sicilsole Organic Orange Marmalade with Cinnamon does not only taste excellent on breakfast bread, but also cuts a fine figure in desserts, sauces or pastries. The varieties Lemon with Ginger and Orange Lemon can also be used in various dishes, if a citrus-fresh note is desired. Just as typical for the Italian cuisine are figs to which Fattoria Sicilsole dedicates an own jam. With a fruit content of 90 percent, it skillfully refines cheese plates and dips. With the creations of Fattoria Sicilsole, you can experience the extraordinary taste of sun-drenched Sicilian fruits.