Bensons the Juicers

Bensons the Juicers, located in the heart of the Cotswolds.

Bensons the Juicers – where it all began:

Bensons the Juicers, located in the heart of the Cotswolds, began its story around the family kitchen table almost 30 years ago, when the co-founder Lexi Benson saw a gap in the market for real, fresh, pressed apple juice. Having worked in the apple industry for years, the Benson family knew that British apples were some of the best in the world and they were passionate about sharing their delicious, natural flavour with everyone. Most of the juice on the market at that time relied on concentrates, preservatives and added sugars but they felt that they could do better and were prepared to do whatever it took to make that happen.

The family purchased six barrels of mixed English apples from local fruit farmers and drove them up to their family farm in Northumberland. They worked tirelessly to mill and press the apples, then brought the juice back to the Cotswolds to finish the process using a hand-made pasteuriser. It was all hands-on deck and everyone lent a hand, but the taste of the juice made all the hard work worth it!

With the first batches of the handmade juice ready to enjoy, the family took a leap of faith and decided to launch the delicious drink at the Womad Festival. To the family’s amazement, they sold out on the very first day! The response was incredible, and soon realised they were on to something special. As they say, the rest is history.

 

The business, best-sellers and USPs:

The core of the business is to create natural, healthier drinks using whole-press British fruit, inspired by the company’s Cotswold heritage. The Totally Fruity juices deliver pure flavour with no added sugar or concentrates, including the popular Mulled Apple and Cinnamon juice, and Apple and Raspberry juice. The Eccentric English Cider is crafted from locally grown apples, whilst Chilly Billy ice lollies offer a delightful, natural frozen treat - perfect for both kids and adults!

Three fundamental principles are behind the success of the Bensons the Juicers brand:

Quality: No compromise on quality. Every detail matters, from the apples we select to the method we use to press the juice.

Sustainability: Committed to caring for the planet, from sourcing local fruit to using recyclable packaging.

Passion: A passion for their orchards, apples, juice, and sustainability shines through in everything they do. It's this dedication that has made Bensons the brand it is today.

 

Why Gloucestershire?

The Bensons the Juicers farm is positioned on a beautiful old country estate owned by the National Trust, right in the heart of the Cotswolds in Gloucestershire. The family are all from the local area and have always been tenants of the National Trust, and in fact supply them with their drinks and best-selling Chilly Billy Ice Lollies. The stunning farm has a wonderfully central location amongst rich local produce, making it the perfect place to run the ever-growing business. The Benson family is proud to employ people locally from within Gloucestershire, and has always prioritised this, with five people currently employed on the Cotswold Farm.  

The local community has been instrumental in the company’s journey. In the early days, they attended numerous Gloucestershire farmers markets which helped the business grow and connect with local customers and businesses. All the apples used within the product range are British and are sourced as locally as possible.

The juices are well-known and widely available throughout the region at a range of key venues. This year, they’ve added several new distributors to their list, including Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm Shop and new pub, The Farmer’s Dog, along with Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park. Additionally, the juices are available at Dunkerton’s, just outside of Cheltenham, as well as being stocked country-wide across National Trust properties, the Eden Project, and the Tate Modern Gallery.

 

Small changes make a big difference:

At Bensons, sustainability and provenance is at the heart of the family run business and they believe that small changes can make a big difference, offering packaging options that are overall kinder to the planet plus the whole range is vegan.

They are committed to reducing their environmental impact through thoughtful packaging choices and responsible practices:

Recyclable Packaging: They use simple, informative, and fully recyclable packaging across their product range to minimise waste.

Glass Bottles: The 250ml pressed juice drinks come in screw-top glass bottles, which are easily recyclable and perfect for reuse.

Biodegradable Packing Materials: When shipping, they use biodegradable packing peanuts made from GM-free starch that are completely compostable.

Recyclable Cans: The Joosed Still and Joosed Fizz ranges are packaged in 100% recyclable cans, providing convenient and sustainable options for enjoying the juices on the go.

Award winning:

In 2019, Bensons the Juicers won Best Soft Drink at the Great British Food Awards with their Chilly Billy ice lollies. The Joosed! Junior range also received a Gold award at the 2018 FreeFrom Food Awards.

More recently, they are currently being shortlisted for the SoGlos Lifestyle Awards in the Best Food and Drink Producer category and have entered the Gloucestershire Foodie Awards in the Non-Alcoholic Drink category.

 

Quick fire foodie questions with Lexi Benson, Co-founder of Bensons the Juicers:

Who or what inspires/motivates you?
My children are my biggest inspiration – they motivate me every day!

What is your favourite food/meal of all time?
Unhealthy: A delicious, strong Gloucestershire cheddar on sourdough with Marmite!
Healthier: A vibrant salad with all the colours of the rainbow.

What’s your favourite product in your line?
It has to be our Joosed Fizz range – refreshing and packed with flavour!

How do you keep up with the latest food trends?

Instagram is our go-to. Personally, I try to eat 30 different plants a week – it’s a great way to stay inspired!

How do you come up with new ideas/products/dishes?

We look at the latest trends, explore flavours we love, and draw as much inspiration as possible from British produce and traditions.

What can we expect to see from you over the coming months?
Exciting things are on the horizon! We’re working on a rebrand, and you can expect some delicious new drink varieties soon – watch this space!

 

 

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