Hundreds Of Rare Cider Apples Preserved In The West Country

[mikey4444]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-35407684

Just heard this being discussed on the Today Program. As a person that likes a drop of good cider once in a while, thank goodness that somebody is rescuing and preserving these old varieties !

[Old_Geezer]

My "heart" likes the idea that these varieties from the far past are still around, not lost. But on a practical note my "head" wonders what advantages they offer over more recent varieties. Perhaps they are simply a curiosity ? Hopefully we'll know when there's a bottle to be bought & sampled.

[RATTER15]

Great news, I love real cider (Scrumpy) being a true Devonian. I think the older varieties were more flavoursome and more suitable for Cider making, they were generally smaller in size but didnt produce such a large crop as modern apples so went out of fashion.

I used to buy mine straight off the farm from oak barrels, I would have a taste from various barrels before picking my favourite, usually the driest and roughest, proper Cider! it is an acquired taste, most people dont like real Scrumpy.

Sadly, living in Wales I can no longer get real good cider, I went to a cider festival a couple of years ago, I tasted a lot of ciders and a stall holder asked "which is the best?) I replied they are all equally unpleasant and suggested they go to Devon and learn how to make Cider. Most people like that sweet overly processed stuff thats produced in a lab on some industrial estate that buy in the supermarkets or on tap at the local pub.

In Devon 3 years ago, I would pay 50p a pint (bring your own container) from the farm and watch it being decanted and get a taster prior. I rarely drink Cider any more, I really miss it.

I would occasionally go to a pub called "The Drum" in Cockington nr Paignton in Devon. They only served their Triple Vintage cider in the bar, never the lounge as it took the varnish off the tables and they would only sell it in half pints, and never to women, Women were not allowed to drink it. Twas like liquid Nectar!!

[Old_Geezer]

I like rough cider, but even the "normal" tap stuff has started to bring on acid reflux these days. Ale doesn't do that to me. Oh the joys of getting older.

[RATTER15]

OG, I think you just need a packet of Gaviscon after a session lol.

[woofgang]

There is a serious point to this. If the variety is lost then potentially the genetic material of that variety is lost. It may be a small cropper but may have other properties, like disease resistance, ability to crop in poor weather, a particular scent or flavour and so on. As well as making historic (in both senses of the word) cider, these preserved varieties can be used to produce the varieties of the future. RATTER, I bet you were very popular at the cider festival.

[RATTER15]

Woof, "RATTER, I bet you were very popular at the cider festival." Lol, Well the Welsh aren't exactly known for their Cider, they best off sticking to making their Welsh cakes, they are really nice! Devonian's don't make Welsh cakes, because we don't have it in our blood!

Actually I did make Welsh cakes and they were the best I have tasted, maybe I could teach the Welsh :-)

Is there a Welsh Cake Festival I wonder?

[mikey4444]

ratter....I recall visiting a cider mill in Devon about 30 years ago, at Winkleigh, in Devon. My mate and I were camping nearby, and I'm afraid we drunk so much of the jungle juice that we had to leave the car there and walk back to our tent !

Was it called Inch's or something similar ?

[retrocop]

I recall,when my parents lived in Exmouth, seeing a large barge each week tied up at the small seafront quay. Full of apples for cider making. Where did it come from? France!! If I want Normandy Cider I'll get it at source thanks but it tastes too raisiny for my liking.I hope that practice has now since stopped.
I am talking early 70s here.

[Bazile]

All sing along . now

[RATTER15]

Mikey, yes Inchs make Cider in Win Leigh, unfortunately it is mass produced stuff, most likely made from the apples in the barge seen by Retrocop in Exmouth. You need to buy decent cider, not mass produced rubbish, but saying that, its still better than the Welsh stuff.

[mikey4444]

Ratter...I was only an inexperienced, callow youth when we tried all that cider on our camping trip !