Decades ago I was an inveterate jam and marmalade maker. I decided many moons ago that experimentation was useless and that only Seville orange marmalade would do. These days, Mrs Steve is at the helm in such matters. I insist that the marmalade contains thick bits of peel, but I make no other interventions. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Raggytash makes beautiful marmalade.

As for jam, we tended not to eat all that we made, so we don't make much these days. I had a bumper crop of raspberries this year and my freezer is packed with them. I offered to make a big batch of raspberry jam but Mrs Steve said no. So I'm having a crack at making raspberry gin. I bought a bottle of Sainsbury's cheapest and have put it in a Kilner jar with sugar and raspberries. I'll let you know...