Rabbi Shlomi Wise, KLBD, shares with us a behind-the-scenes look at the care, expertise and longstanding partnership that make Tiptree’s Kosher for Passover production possible.
“One chilly, dark February morning, while most of Golders Green was still asleep, I was already on the road. At 3:30am I set off for the Wilkin & Sons factory in Tiptree, Essex. By 5am I was inside, hairnet on, as the factory floor began to stir and the equipment began heating ahead of this year’s Kosher for Passover production.
I have been visiting Tiptree for more than a decade as part of our ongoing supervision. The relationship between KLBD and Wilkin & Sons stretches back to the early 1980s, if not before. Over the years it has grown into a strong and trusted partnership.
Kosher for Passover production, however, tells a more recent story. After a lengthy pause, the dedicated Pesach run was reintroduced in 2018 following renewed discussions and a shared commitment to making it happen again. Since then, it has once again become a valued part of the pre-Pesach calendar.
Many of us know Tiptree as a household name. Wilkin & Sons has been farming in Tiptree since 1757 and making preserves since 1885. Much of the fruit is grown locally, prepared by hand and cooked in small batches in traditional copper-bottomed pans. The company’s reputation for quality is long established, and it continues to hold a Royal Warrant.
What is far less visible is what it takes to produce jam that is certified Kosher for Passover.
Pesach production involves much more than reviewing an ingredient list. Every raw material must be checked and approved specifically for Passover. Ingredients such as pectin and acidity regulators, which give jam its texture and balance, can raise complex halachic questions at this time of year. Suppliers are vetted carefully and documentation examined in detail to ensure everything meets the required standard.
There is also the question of equipment. Although the factory operates to exceptionally high-quality controls, some products manufactured during the year contain chametz ingredients. Before the Kosher for Passover run can begin, the relevant production lines must undergo a full koshering under KLBD supervision. Only once that process is complete does the first batch enter the pans.
When production finally began, crates of fruit were inspected and tipped in. The copper pans came to life. Temperatures were checked, timings measured and every stage monitored closely. From start to finish, the process was supervised to ensure that each jar sealed and labelled KLBD Kosher for Passover met the highest standards.
Tiptree is rightly proud of its Essex-grown fruit, including the famous Little Scarlet strawberries cultivated locally, although that particular variety is not part of the Kosher for Passover range. Wherever possible, fruit is sourced locally and selected carefully to maintain the quality the brand is known for.
What stood out most throughout the visit was not only the rigour of the process but the warmth of the partnership. James Procter Blain, Tiptree’s Head of Marketing, spoke about how much the relationship with KLBD and the Jewish community matters to the company:
“We are delighted to be working with KLBD on the kosher certification of our products. It’s a long-standing relationship for us…and we are delighted with this association. It’s really important to us. Our mission here is to make our range of products available to as many people as we can so we are thrilled to be supporting the Jewish community in this way.”
For a company with an international presence, accommodating the additional complexity of Kosher for Passover production is no small undertaking. Yet year after year, Tiptree approaches it with professionalism and genuine goodwill. That commitment reflects a relationship built over more than forty years, grounded in trust, mutual respect and a shared dedication to quality.
As Pesach preparations begin in earnest, we invite you to watch the short video from our visit to see the process for yourself. And when you place a jar of Tiptree jam on your table this year, you can do so knowing the history, the care and the partnership behind every label.”
March 2026