Orchard Network

There are many commercial orchards in Essex, where the orchards enjoy the warmer and drier climate. The Tiptree Heath factory of Wilkins & Sons and Elsenham Quality Foods at Elsenham Court both developed at the end of the 19th century. Sugar was cheaper in England than elsewhere in Europe and jam provided a market for surplus and poor-quality fruit.

Wilkins of Tiptree is still supporting the orchards of Essex and Cambridgeshire and is the one major grower of the Cambridge Gage. "This variety is considered to have such a good flavour that it is the only variety of greengage used in its jams."

Amongst their extensive acreage of soft and top fruit, they grow 8 - 10 acres of quinces and have a dozen very old mulberry trees and medlars for their quince and medlar jellies and mulberry jam.