Black Butter making is back, and your help is needed!

Thursday, 8 October 2026 09:56

Peelers at the ready... volunteers are needed to prepare the fruit for this year's batch of Black Butter.

The Black Butter Festival is taking place at The Elms in St Mary 8-10 October.

It starts today, Thursday, with volunteers of all ages invited along to help peel thousands of cider apples from the National Trust for Jersey orchards.

That starts at 2pm, and goes on until 5pm with people rewarded with tea and Jersey Wonders for their efforts.

Peeling resumes at 10am on Friday, by which time the fire in the Bake House will have been lit, and continues til 10pm with free food and music.

The apples will then be added to the giant copper bâchin - a traditional Jersey pan.

Later, lemons, liquorice and mixed spices are added to make the aromatic ancient local preserve,.

Once cooled, it will be put into jars to be sold.

On Saturday, the courtyard at The Elms will host ‘Genuine Jersey’ produce including cider and sausages and wood fired pizza, stalls selling cabbage loaf, cakes and Jersey wonders, locally produced honey, relishes and jams, art, fudge, and pottery.

For children, there is pumpkin carving, face-painting and lawn games.

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