December 2000

We grow some 60 West Country vintage cider apples, including the varieties Kingston Black, Yarlington Mill, Harry Master’s Jersey, Crimson King, Tremlett’s Bitter and Dabinett. I’d love to know the stories behind the trees’ names! Each has it’s own character-Tremlett’s bitter for example is a small red apple that tends to crop only every other year. It did well last year. If you bite one, the bitter tannin sets your mouth on edge, rather like cold black tea. Pure Tremlett’s cider is undrinkably bitter, but it blends well with the juice of milder apples.

We make our cider and apple juice with a Hungarian apple crusher and press which we bought from the excellent Vigo vineyard suppliers in Devon. The apples have to be cut in half first and then go into a contraption with revolving PVC teeth turned by a hand wheel. The fruit pulp is then squeezed in a basket press so the juice runs out into a bowl. 20 lbs of apples make about a gallon of juice. The juice can be drunk fresh (try keeping the children off it!) but if it is to be stored it must be pasteurised or frozen since it will otherwise start fermenting, turning the sugar to alcohol, making CIDER.

Cider can vary in character as much as wine, depending on factors such as apple varieties, ripeness of fruit, and weather. Some vintages will be better than others. The cider can be enjoyed young and cloudy, or matured in cask or bottle. Our cider is usually about 6.5 to 7% alcohol, and so far has all been for home use, but next year we hope to take some to market.

Of course, alcohol should be enjoyed responsibly, but numerous medical studies have shown that moderate consumption has some health benefits. Recipe for a cider fruit cup. Chop a mixture of your favourite fruits (apple, melon, peach, pineapple, blackberries, etc) and put in a serving bowl. Just before guests arrive, pour over some medium or sweet sparkling cider. Adjust alcohol level up or down with white wine or lemonade. A dash of Ribena is possible. Plenty of flavour without too much “punch”.

Wassail! (good health)