Gone almost as soon as they arrive, the Seville orange season runs from the end of December through to mid February. Luckily these knobbly-skinned, bitter marvels can be enjoyed year-round as they freeze well whole, so when you see them, stock up.

Sevilles are generally unwaxed, so don’t let them hang around in the fruit bowl for more than a week as they lose their moisture content quickly and become tough, mean and unusable.

When buying, look for fruit with plump, firm skin to ensure the oranges are not ruining already.

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Although most often used to make marmalade, a little Seville rind adds zing to meat dishes and a squeeze of the juice gives sophistication to a gin and tonic.

For die-hard marmalade lovers, there’s the annual Dalemain Marmalade Awards in Cumbria where keen preserve makers can submit their entries and be in with a chance of seeing their recipe stocked on the shelves at Fortnum & Mason. For more details, visit www.dalemainmarmaladeawards.co.uk

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