ISLANDERS are invited to an annual black butter event designed to celebrate and preserve part of Jersey’s cultural heritage.
The National Trust for Jersey is hosting its annual Black Butter Festival, which runs from today until Saturday at the organisation’s headquarters in St Mary.
The event, supported by Rathbones, involves the traditional creation of the spicy apple preserve at The Elms – an 18th-century farm complex.
It begins with apple peeling from 2pm to 5pm today, and anyone who lends a hand will be rewarded with tea and Jersey wonders. No booking is needed, and all age groups are welcome.
Tomorrow morning, the fire in the bakehouse will be lit at 5am and the peeled apples will be added to a copper bâchin – a large bowl.
Later on in the evening there will be live music and food provided by Pink Panda Private Catering.
The cooking and stirring of the mixture continues throughout the night until early on Saturday morning, when the final touches of spices, liquorice, and lemons will be added.
By lunchtime, the black butter will be jarred, labelled and ready to eat.
The Elms’ courtyard will then be transformed into a marketplace, featuring Genuine Jersey produce such as cider, sausages, wood-fired pizza, honey, cakes, relishes, jams, artwork, and, of course, the prized preserve.
The event will also feature live music from Parish 13 and the Black Butter band.
Parking is available at Granite Products, St Peter’s Valley, with a shuttle service to and from the site throughout the day.
There will also be an apple preserves competition, sponsored by Rathbones, allowing participants to showcase their apple jams, jellies, pies, and cakes; there will be children’s categories and a biscuit-making competition, too.
For more information, visit the National Trust for Jersey website, nationaltrust.je, or call their office on 483193.
