Granny's Apple Chutney: A Cotswold Classic with a Bensons Twist!
Tucked between rolling hills and honey-stone villages, the Cotswolds is known not only for its beauty but also for its rich food heritage. And this recipe — Granny’s Apple Chutney — is a true celebration of local flavour, made even more special with a splash of Bensons apple juice, pressed right here in the heart of the Cotswolds.
Sweet, gently spiced, and deeply comforting, this chutney is made for slow lunches, picnic hampers, and generous cheeseboards.
A Chutney with Cotswold Soul
What makes this chutney so special? It’s the balance between sharp cider vinegar and the rich, naturally sweet Bensons apple juice. While the vinegar brings that essential tang, the apple juice — made just down the road in Sherborne — softens it with orchard-fresh sweetness. Together, they create a depth of flavour that’s both nostalgic and full-bodied.
This is a preserve with heart. Traditional, yes — but elevated with the best local ingredients.
Perfect with Local Cheeses
If you’re crafting the ultimate Cotswold cheeseboard, this chutney belongs at the centre. Its gently spiced, fruity character complements a range of local cheeses beautifully. Here are a few standout pairings:
🧀 Cotswold Brie (Simon Weaver Organic) – Soft, creamy, and rich. The chutney adds just the right contrast with its sharp-sweet balance.
🧀 Double Gloucester – Nutty and mellow, this heritage cheese loves the warm spice and fruitiness of the chutney.
🧀 St Eadburgha – A washed-rind cheese made in the Cotswolds, with a soft texture and savoury flavour that sings alongside the apple and ginger notes.
🧀 Cerney Ash – A striking goat’s cheese with a delicate tang that’s lifted by the chutney’s raisin-sweet undertone.
🧀 Godalming Cheddar – A bold, full-flavoured West Surrey cheddar with a crumbly texture and deep savouriness. The chutney’s apple-rich tang cuts through beautifully, making this pairing a standout.
Whether you’re setting up for a summer picnic, a family grazing board, or a ploughman’s lunch with crusty sourdough, this is the condiment that brings everything together.
The Recipe: Cotswold Apple Chutney
Ingredients:
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750g apples (about 4–5)
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1 onion, chopped
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250g soft brown sugar
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150g raisins
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1 tsp mustard seeds
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1 tsp ground ginger
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¼ tsp chilli flakes
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½ tsp salt
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350ml cider vinegar
Prep time: 10 mins
Cook time: 35 mins
Method:
Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan. Simmer gently for around 35 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Pot into warm, sterilised jars and store in a cool place. Flavour deepens after a few weeks — if you can wait that long!
Watch a live demo over on our Bensons Insta!
Why Bensons?
Bensons is a Cotswold staple — family-run, sustainable, and passionate about real, honest fruit juice. Our Totally Fruity Apple Juices are free from sugar and sweeteners - just pure apples! It doesn’t just sweeten the chutney — it enriches it, bringing out the very best in every spoonful!
