Black Butter Making with the National Trust for Jersey

The National Trust for Jersey will once again be making ‘Black Butter’ at The Elms, La Chève Rue, St. Mary with cider apples from its orchards this week, kindly sponsored by Apex Group Jersey.

Alice Read, Country Head – Apex Group Jersey commented “We’re delighted to sponsor the National Trust’s Black Butter event for the second year and are looking forward to joining in with the festivities as a team. One of our corporate responsibility focus areas is ‘education and social mobility’ and the Black Butter event is a great way to educate the younger generation in a unique tradition that has been part of Jersey’s heritage for centuries.”

Volunteers are invited to embrace the community spirit and participate in the ancient art of ‘Black Butter’ making. Apple peeling commences from 2pm to 5pm on Thursday 2nd October and participants will be rewarded with tea and Jersey Wonders for their efforts. There is no need to pre-book or bring anything unless volunteers have a favourite apple peeler. All ages are welcome!

The fire in the Bake House will be lit at 5.30 am on Friday 3rd October and the peeled apples will start to be added to a giant copper bâchin kindly loaned to the Trust by Sam Pallot from Pallot’s Steam Museum. Apple peeling will resume at 10am Friday 3rd October.

Friday evening is always a lively affair where attendees can enjoy live music as they peel over 1000 lbs. of apples. The free music and food hopefully encouraging and entertaining the hardy peelers and stirrers late into the evening!

Stirring of this wonderful aromatic mixture takes place all through the day and night until the early hours of Saturday morning. Towards the end of the cooking, lemons and liquorice are added and then once cooled, the mixed spices. By lunchtime Saturday, the ‘jarring up’ production line is in full swing with the freshly made Black Butter ladled into sterilised jars, which are then wiped, labelled, lids applied and topped with pretty fabric covers. All undertaken by a wonderful army of kind volunteers.

On Saturday the usually sleepy courtyard at The Elms will be transformed and filled with stalls selling a host of ‘Genuine Jersey’ produce including cider and sausages and wood-fired pizza. The National Trust will also have a stall selling tea, coffee, cakes and Jersey wonders as well as merchandise and gifts.

Other products for sale include locally produced honey, relishes and jams, art, fudge, candles and of course the delicious, dark and fragrant freshly made Black Butter, often referred to as ‘Christmas in a jar’.

There’s plenty to do for children too so you can bring the whole family- we have a pumpkin carving tent, facepainting, a tombola, indoor activities and lawn games where prizes can be won.

Parish 13 and Méli-Mêlo bands will be performing together with dancing and other live performances throughout the day.

Parking is available at Granite Products with a shuttle service to and from The Elms throughout the day from 10 am – 4 pm.