Redlands marmalade maker earns international honors in UK competition

REDLANDS, Calif. — A Redlands-based marmalade producer has returned from the United Kingdom with eight international awards and growing recognition from state and local leaders for bringing attention to the city’s citrus heritage.

Old California Botanicals, founded by Redlands citrus grower John P. Beall, earned eight medals at the 2026 Artisan World Marmalade Awards in Cumbria, England, one of the world’s largest marmalade competitions.

The competition received more than 3,400 entries from 33 countries, according to award organizers. Old California Botanicals received a silver medal for its Redlands Navel Orange marmalade, bronze medals for its Eureka Lemon and Minneola Tangelo marmalades, and merit awards for its Valencia Orange marmalade. Each marmalade also received recognition in the competition’s savory category.

Beall attended the awards ceremony at Dalemain House in Penrith, England, where he posed with his medals in front of the event’s “Marmalade Altar” and received awards from High Sheriff of Cumbria Shirley Fawcett.

The annual event has drawn international dignitaries and royal attention over the years. According to Beall, King Charles III, formerly Prince Charles, has attended the awards multiple times in past years. This year’s ceremony also included remarks from the Spanish ambassador to the United Kingdom about the cultural significance of citrus in Seville, Spain.

While in the UK, Beall said he met citrus growers from Sicily who credited the citrus legacy of Redlands and neighboring Riverside — including pioneer Eliza Tibbets, who helped establish California’s citrus industry — with influencing modern citrus cultivation abroad.

“Some of the best citrus in the world grows in California and in Redlands,” Beall said in a statement released after the competition. “It is a great thrill to be recognised among such a strong field of competitors against citrus sourced from around the world.”

Since returning to California, Beall and Old California Botanicals have received a commendation from San Bernardino County Supervisor Dawn Rowe recognizing the company for “bringing international distinction to Redlands through exceptional craftsmanship and locally grown citrus.”

Beall has also been recognized by state Sens. Eloise Gómez Reyes and Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh. Ochoa Bogh nominated Old California Botanicals as Small Business of the Year for her district, and Beall is expected to receive a commendation on the Senate floor.

Founded in Redlands, Old California Botanicals produces small-batch marmalades and botanical products using citrus grown in Southern California microclimates. The company’s products are sold online and through select retailers, including several locations in Redlands.