Frequently Asked Questions
This page is designed to answer those questions we get asked most frequently. If there is something you would like to ask then please get in touch by emailing info@bensonstotallyfruity.co.uk .
Why do you only use British apples to make your range of Totally Fruity juices and Chilly Billy's?
Coming from a generation of farmers we understand the challenges faced by those working in rural industries. Apples are part of our rural heritage and orchards have shaped our landscape for centuries. Since the 1950's almost two thirds of England's orchards have disappeared; a massive 57%. England's apple economy is dominated by only a few varieties with hundreds of others disappearing unnoticed. By sourcing English apples we believe that we can contribute to the survival of those orchards still in existence and hopefully in the future see an increase in the varieties of apples available to choose from.
What was the idea behind Chilly Billy iced lollies?
We decided to make Chilly Billy iced lollies because we couldn't find any lollies in the shops that didn't contain colouring, preservatives, sugars or a whole host of other additives. We wanted to provide a healthy alternative for families who wanted their children to be able to enjoy a refreshing snack but without all the usual nasties such as colouring and flavourings. By using the finest seasonal British apples and adding other flavoursome fruits we are able to provide a range of products using only natural ingredients. Of course mums, dads, grandmas and granddads everywhere can also enjoy Chilly Billy's guilt free too, why just keep them for the children!
You say that there are no artificial colours or preservatives yet the label on your juice says Vitamin C and the Chilly Billy's say carob gum?
Let's look at the juice first. Vitamin C is a naturally occurring nutrient found in apples which is essential for health and wellbeing. Ascorbic acid is a powdered form of Vitamin C which we add to the juice for two reasons. Firstly, ascorbic acid preserves the colour of the juice preventing it from turning brown. Secondly, the pasteurisation process can break down the naturally occurring Vitamin C so the ascorbic acid helps to replenish any loss.
Carob Gum also known as Locust Bean Gum is a naturally occurring substance from the Carob tree. Adding Carob Gum to the Chilly Billy's ensures the juice remains smooth rather than creating lumpy ice crystals.
Do you make your Chilly Billy's in the Cotswolds?
We press the juice for our Chilly Billy's at Stones Farm and then we send the juice to our friend Sal at Stella in Liverpool who then freezes the juice into our funky Chilly Billy tubes. Sal has been making ice cream since the 1980's after he took over the family business from Sal senior.
Why are the juices in your Totally Fruity range cloudy and not clear?
The cloudy appearance arises owing to the juice being filtered once and not twice as in the case with clear apple juice. Filtering it once leaves a trace of pulp which means the juice is healthier for you, as it contains more antioxidants which protect against heart disease than clear apple juice.
Why is there sediment in the bottom of the bottle?
The sediment comes from the apples and is a naturally occurring fibre. It intensifies the goodness of the product by containing antioxidants. Just remember to shake the bottle before drinking.
Where do your oranges come from?
They are from the orange groves in the Valencia Province on the coast of eastern Spain. Valencian oranges are world renowned for their sweetness, size and extraordinary colour, a perfect complement to the great British apple.
Why do you not use organic apples to make your products?
Owing to the shortage of organically grown apples in the UK it is not possible for us to make organic products. We do endeavour to use organic apples whenever they are available but the suppliers cannot guarantee us the volume of apples 365 days of the year. We do however always source the finest apples and we always look after them including washing them because we care about the juice reaching you in the best condition possible.
What does 'Not From Concentrate' mean?
It means our juice is made from the hand pressed apples rather than from a frozen concentrate which has water added to it at the production stage.
What effect does pasteurisation have?
The pasteurisation process kills any bugs that are naturally present in apples as well as preventing the juice from fermenting and therefore becoming alcohol!
What does part of your 5 a day mean?
One Chilly Billy = 73 % of one of your five a day so if you consume one and a quarter Chilly Billy's then that counts as one of your five a day. A 250ml bottle of juice provides a child with one portion of their five a day.
