Archive by Author
Organic Apples – good or bad?
Posted on 02. May, 2010 by Jim C.
If there was a ”most doused in pesticides contest,” apples would win, says Mark Kastel, former executive for agribusiness and codirector of the Cornucopia Institute, a farm-policy research group that supports organic foods. Why? As apples are individually grafted (descended from a single tree) each variety maintains its distinctive flavor. As such, apples don’t develop resistance [...]
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New England Cider Tour
Posted on 18. Apr, 2010 by Jim C.
During our Thanksgiving trip to East Coast USA last year, where we went on an Ice cider tour, we had a tip off from our Real Cider friends that there are some special cider varieties from an exciting emerging breed of artisanal ‘hard’ cider producers. So, with a rental car, a map of North American [...]
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Cider – Organic or Slow Food movement?
Posted on 07. Apr, 2010 by Jim C.
Ask a fruit or cider producer how they deal with attack from pests and diseases on their fruit, and you would like to hear something along the lines of Somerset Cider Brandy’s response: Our policy of growing apples is to use the minimum of sprays possible, often not spraying at all. We use no artificial [...]
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Cider types around the UK
Posted on 17. Jan, 2010 by Jim C.
There are two broad main traditions in cider production in the UK – the West tradition and the Kent and East Anglia tradition. The former are made using a much higher percentage of true cider-apples and so are richer in tannins and sharper in flavour. Kent and East Anglia ciders tend to use a higher [...]
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The future of Scottish orchards
Posted on 13. Jan, 2010 by Jim C.
UK apple orchards have been in decline since the 1980s, with Britain losing nearly two thirds of its commercial and private orchards in the last three decades. With the market dominated by cheap imported fruit, a narrower choice of varieties have been available. Smaller orchards have been replaced by housing and business developments. But in [...]
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Links of the month – January
Posted on 11. Jan, 2010 by Jim C.
Here is our regular monthly collection of cider links, from newspapers, food web sites that we find with interesting content, and articles that appear in our RSS feed tagged “Cider” These articles are hand picked issues and topics that are of interest to cider producers, publicans and cider fans. Here are January’s collection: Government accused on [...]
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Wassail events 2010
Posted on 10. Jan, 2010 by Jim C.
Wassailing is an old custom that takes place on Old Twelfth Night (17 January) or thereabouts, to exhort apple trees to fruit well the following season. Customs and songs differ from place to place. At many events cider is poured onto the roots and shots fired through the branches to ward off evil spirits. Warm [...]
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Cider making with Roger Wilkins
Posted on 06. Jan, 2010 by Jim C.
Roger has been cider making since he was a boy, taught the skills of the ancient art by his grandfather. The business was passed onto Roger through the family and now he produces around 15,000 gallons each year at his home at Landsend Farm, Mudgley, near Wedmore. Roger, who is married to Mary and has [...]
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Real Cider Elsewhere
Tweets tagged #Cider
- Ooo shit braggs apple cider vinegar makes a drink now?! @blk_celebutante did u kno about this?
- @HolyCollin I'm ready for scarves, hot chocolate, apple cider, soup, sweaters, and a kidney.
- @WillieKeane hilarious too tho. the time when she told saskia she'd drunk all the cider in the diary room has to be my #1 BB moment!
- Apple Cider Century acceptance letter received. Next step - get in shape. After 25 miles today I needed a nap.
- Longing for Autumn: "I love fall! Fall is exciting.It's apples and cider.It's an airborne spider.It's pumpkins in ... http://bit.ly/cB7X9r
