MRS ELSWOOD OVER THE YEARS
Mrs Elswood's Gherkins have been well-loved since they first appeared on UK shelves over 70 years ago, but how did it all start?
SINCE 1947
The story of the nation’s #1 gherkin started in 1947, when our first gherkins were brought into the UK from the Netherlands on a bi-plane!”
FARM TO JAR FOR CRUNCH
Originally, gherkins were packed into wooden barrels, before being either packed into jars or scooped directly out of the barrel by gherkin lovers. Nowadays, gherkins are picked then packed and pickled directly in the jar, straight after harvest. We do this to retain the freshness and crunch of a freshly picked cucumber straight from the vine
SUSTAINABILITY
Glass Jars
Our jars are
made of up to 85% recycled content.
Glass is 100% recyclable and can be recycled endlessly without loss
in quality.
No Waste
Over 99% of the
harvest is used.
We only remove non-edible cucumbers.
The brine is also made to order, reducing brine wastage.
Ground
Transport
Our cucumbers do
not fly.
They only travel by ground vehicles - in ambient temperature – and a relatively short distance.
Field
Fresh
Our cucumbers are
grown in fields &
processed when they are fresh. We don't use energy to keep them in greenhouses or to keep them cool in a refrigerator.
Metal
Caps
Our Caps are made
from recycled steel
with a thin layer of tin.
Metal recycles forever and holds its value for
much longer.
We use time-proven techniques and traditions for preserving.
This approach has helped us maintain sustainable production methods.
Low
Emissions
The production
of our gherkins is done
in a way that minimises CO2 emissions, with electricity coming from green energy.
DID YOU KNOW?
Our paper labels and our cardboard trays are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
Water usage in production is monitored to reduce consumption. Whilst growing the fields are irrigated from local groundwater & in the production process, recycled water is used to wash the cucumbers and rainwater is used to cool down the jars after heat sealing.
The large majority of ingredients and packaging materials are sourced from local suppliers or made in-house.
REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE
When the gherkins have all gone, that doesn't mean the fun has to stop!
Have a look at ways to reuse our jars or tag us on Instagram with your own creations!
