Marmalade Milestone
Six years into my McGregor morning market "thang" after nagging from a couple of people, I started keeping count of marmalade sales. It's very hi-tech: a notebook, pencil and columns. The count began on 5 September 2019. Most sales happen at the market; all sales happen in McGregor, occasionally over the gate - which is how regular customers secured their marmalade fix during covid - and the odd local festival.
Production is all in my little kitchen which is not the only restriction: I do all the cutting and cooking, so have to be able to lift the pot, myself. That means small, kitchen batches of about 20 jars at a time.
That's a very long introduction to saying that yesterday, I went to the market with sales sitting at 998.
I mused here, about reaching the one thousand milestone, thinking it would happen at the end of this year. When I came home, this Saturday, sales sat at 1,010.
In words: one thousand and ten jars of marmalade in around 6 years. Yesterday's 12 was a record for one market and buyers were a mix of regulars, locals and visitors.
The best seller? The three fruit (grapefruit, lemon and orange) - I struggle to keep up. I thought, this year, I had made enough during citrus season, but looking at my stock after the market yesterday, I am not so sure.
I know I must make lemonchilli....
That must happen relatively soon, and before the apricot harvest which is likely in the next few weeks. Watch this space for chutney and jam. Both of which have been out of stock for a while...yes, my apricot source has already confirmed my "order"...
Then it will be plums...
Oh, and if you're wondering, I have now been doing the McGregor morning market for 12 years..
Until next time
Post script
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I love marmalade, I've never tried a three-fruit, I'm sure it must be delicious. Thanks for sharing.
Wow!!! That's a lot of marmalade for only 6 years! Congratulations on hitting the 1K sold jars!
Returning buyers and a big demands means a lot... You have a great product, and people love it!
Can you do another 1K in the next 5 years? 😃 South Africa will run out of citrus... 😂
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You're very kind. Let's see how the next 1k happen. A jar at a time, I suspect...
Citrus grows in the area: often, I am given fruit that doesn't reach the pack shed for some reason, so I doubt I'll cause a shortage! 🤭
AAAAAAwesomeness... i'm really happy for you ! And that on a bread of yours, must be just bliss !
Toast and marmalade: manna!
Apricot jam still high on hit parade for my taste, proper fruit nothing can beat!
Well done on the sales of Marmalade, done yourself proud over the years in that tiny kitchen!
Thank you. Apricot jam is mostly certainly on the agenda!
Dad would roast a few kernels, added for flavor infusion during cooking, not as an edible ingredient in the finished, jarred jam. Wonderful childhood with many varieties of fruit in the garden.
Oh my! Congratulations, my mouth is watering for marmalade now that I've seen your lovely presentation. ♥
Thank you!
That was a very nice small business you have and maybe you can grow it. Have a nice day ahead.
Thank you. Good week to you, too!
Way to go! I'm glad your marmalade is so successful! It looks lovely in the display with the other types.
Thank you so much!