Cider Chat

Falling for the Chocolate Pear Forager of fruits enjoy the hunt of finding hidden trees and more often than not fully laden trees in plain site. Ben Kunesh's path as a forage has led him to fruits of all natures, including the once famous and now newly rising star known as the Chocolate Pear.  Ben Kunesh holding Chocolate Pears The Chocolate Pear has been discussed on two episodes of Cider Chat. Find these must listen to episodes linked below. Up to having this discussion with Ben, I only knew of this tree and its wonderful small pear like fruit as Sorbus Domestica. The fruit ripens into a smooth creamy texture with notes of melon and chocolate. In this episode Ben's tale of traveling to the Cezch Republic and to the area of Moravia. It is here that he met with Vit Hrdoušek who has research and wrote extensively about the Chocolate Pear. The Chocolate Pear Museum known as Oskorušové Muzeum And a the scope on the translation of the Czech book on Sorbus Domestica Contact Ben Kunesh Follow Ben on Instagram @strom_oskoruse [caption id="attachment_6810" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Oskorušové Muzeum Oskorušové muzeum, 696 62 Tvarožná Lhota, Czechia  http://www.tvarozna-lhota.cz/oskoruse-oskorusove-muzeum-a-slavnost-oskorusi/ms-1031/p1=1031 . https://zemedelskamuzea.nzm.cz/clenove -site/muzeum-oskerusi Cider Chat Episodes featuring the Chocolate Pear with the Arnould Narzain (aka The French Pope of Sorbus Domestica) 219: Sorbs Not Sulfites 220: Can Sorbs Save the World Follow Cider Chat Sponsors! CiderCon2021 February 1-4, 2022 - A virtual trade conference for the cider industry hosted by the American Cider Association. Register today! New York International Cider Competition - February 21, 2022 4rd Annual New York International Cider Competition for commercial makers. Judges are real buyers making this competition stand apart from all others in cider. Send in your ciders now. Commercial Makers - Enter the New York International Cider Competition  Help Support Cider Chat Please donate today. Help keep the chat thriving! Find this episode and all episodes at the page for Cider Chat's podcasts. Listen also at iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher (for Android), iHeartRadio , Spotify and wherever you love to listen to podcasts. Follow on Cider Chat's blog, social media and podcast Twitter @ciderchat Instagram: @ciderchatciderville Cider Chat FaceBook Page Cider Chat YouTube  

What is a Wassail A Wassail is a celebration of the orchards, most typically apple orchards to honor the natural world and pay tribute with hopes of an abundant fruiting season moving forward. A Wassail is also a cheer When you hear someone say “Wassail” it means -Be Healthy! The reply is “Drink hail” -  To your health! When does it take place? Historically a Wassail would be held on the 6th of January or what is known as the Twelfth Night.  Or on the 17th of January which is called “Old Twelvey” Procession to the main Wassail fire In these modern times a Wassail can take place when it is most appropriate considering the weather and outside temperatures. There is no strict protocols, but rather traditions that when followed harken us all back to our ancestral roots and pagan ways. Where do Wassails take place? In the orchard surrounding a large fire, a fire circle and in some places 12 small rings of fire for the 12 apostles or for the twelve signs of the Zodiac. Indoor Wassails are also doable for those who can’t go outside during -6 degree temperatures. Thus, a Wassail can take place at a Senior Center or a Day Care with songs being sung around a plant or small tree. The end goal is all the same, to sing to the orchard, the apple tree(s), to ward off the apple foes and to harken in better times ahead. The Old Apple Tree of the Wassail DIY Planning for your own Wassail Have a fire keeper who will make sure the wood is ready and lit to greet the parade of merry makers Set a meeting spot for everyone to gather and then walk to the oldest or largest apple tree. The fire is often very nearby. Have “Safe” Torches, flashlights to lead the crowd to the main fire Have some hot mulled cider Have a Master of the Ceremony or what is known as the “Butler” Select a King and Queen Have slices of Toasted bread Have Cider to drink and to pour a bit on the toast and onto the ground Hand out lyrics to the Wassail songs The King and Queen lead the group up to the Apple Tree Place the toast on the limbs Pour cider on the roots of the tree Make noise to ward off the evil spirts If Morris Dancers are available they would do a dance or two Have a taste of two of Wassail - pick an option that best suits your crowd. It can be a hot mulled cider, with or without spices or fortified with brandy, perhaps a wee bit of honey? A two handled cup or goblet is the classic Wassail cup that would be passed round, but these days any fine drinking cup would do sans the passing around. Wassailing around the world resources Willie Smiths Cider in Tasmania hosts an annual “Mid Winter Festival” in July Campaign for the Revival Of Wassailing (CROW) www.nationaltrust.org.uk/petworth-house-and-park/recipes/petworths-traditional-wassail Mentions in this Chat 072: Lost Apple of the Quabbin |Massachusetts In A Glass Of Cider It seemed I was a mite of sedimentThat waited for the bottom to fermentSo I could catch a bubble in ascent.I rode up on one till the bubble burst,And when that left me to sink back reversedI was no worse off than I was at first.I’d catch another bubble if I waited.The thing was to get now and then elated. Robert Frost Follow Cider Chat Sponsors! CiderCon2021 February 1-4, 2022 - A virtual trade conference for the cider industry hosted by the American Cider Association. Register today! New York International Cider Competition - February 21, 2022 4rd Annual New York International Cider Competition for commercial makers. Judges are real buyers making this competition stand apart from all others in cider. Send in your ciders now. Commercial Makers - Enter the New York International Cider Competition  Help Support Cider Chat Please donate today. Help keep the chat thriving! Find this episode and all episodes at the page for Cider Chat's podcasts. Listen also at iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher (for Android), iHeartRadio , Spotify and wherever you love to listen to podcasts. Follow on Cider Chat's blog, social media and podcast Twitter @ciderchat Instagram: @ciderchatciderville Cider Chat FaceBook Page Cider Chat YouTube

Washtenaw County Cider Mills 1841 - Present Day Patrick McCauley grew up in south eastern Michigan and recalls visiting cider mills as a child, enjoying in the fresh pressed apple juice and the cider donuts. Today he is avid cider maker and realtor in the Ann Arbor area a job that allows him to have an eagle eye on backyard orchards. Patrick McCauley Go to this link to see the October 2021 article by Patrick McCauley on the Washtenaw Cider Mills in the Ann Arbor Observer. [ Dexter cider mill 10.23.35 Kids drinking ciderkin Dexter Cider Mill October 1955 Williams Cider Mill In this episode: 119 Washtenaw County cider mills between 1841 and the present, of which 8 are still in business todayThe 1888 attempt to ban alcohol in the county (1909 - 102 cider mills) Chicago Apple King - David Henning The Erie Canal's use as a major transportation route of goods including apples and cider Marth Aray Day - Owner of a Cider Mill "that once stood in the middle of the road"  was not only a woman but also African American and believed to be one of the few documented Black business owners at that time in the trade of cider. The mill was located at Michigan Avenue in Pittsfield Township. It looked to have a ten year run between 1880, and in 1899. Patrick notes that "the mill made 1500 barrels of cider." Equally notable father Asher Aray, used the farm as a station on the underground railroad in the years before the Civil War. Benjamin and Martha Day family Patrick's in depth study appears to be the "tip of the iceberg". He notes that perhaps it is a longer more bountiful story of even more cider mills. And lest not forget that this is only one county in the very active growing state of Michigan. Contact info for Patrick McCauley to request the full manuscript on the Washtenaw County Cider Mills Website: https://patrickmccauley.reinhartrealtors.com/ Follow Cider Chat Sponsors! CiderCon2021 February 1-4, 2022 - A virtual trade conference for the cider industry hosted by the American Cider Association. Register today! New York International Cider Competition - February 21, 2022 4rd Annual New York International Cider Competition for commercial makers. Judges are real buyers making this competition stand apart from all others in cider. Send in your ciders now. Commercial Makers - Enter the New York International Cider Competition  Help Support Cider Chat Please donate today. Help keep the chat thriving! Find this episode and all episodes at the page for Cider Chat's podcasts. Listen also at iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher (for Android), iHeartRadio , Spotify and wherever you love to listen to podcasts. Follow on Cider Chat's blog, social media and podcast Twitter @ciderchat Instagram: @ciderchatciderville Cider Chat FaceBook Page Cider Chat YouTube

Building a Water Wheel to Power a Cider Mill Phil Watson grew up on an old farm with an old cider press that powered a water wheel. When a water wheel turns it produces a lot of force, so his mom back then had the old wheel taken down. That water wheel made a big impression on Phil so years later he built his own water wheel powered cider press on his 200 acre lot where he mills up lumber. In this episode hear the full backstory of building the water wheel with one oak tree. The 3 story cider house is set up with the top floor designed to receive the apples and the old leaf mulcher now used to grind up the apples. The second floor is where the press is set up and there is even a bike on that floor that can be used to also power the press. The bottom floor is where the juice is received in an old milk tank. Making Cider with the Water Wheel Powered Cider Mill Water Wheel - 14 diameter When the wheel is turning: 20 gallons pre pressing on a rack and cloth press that Phil also built. They can do 4-5 pressings an hour. Phil's label for his bottles says Snake Cider Company with the logo, "Don't Eat the Apple. Drink the Snake" Follow Cider Chat Sponsors! CiderCon2021 February 1-4, 2022 - A virtual trade conference for the cider industry hosted by the American Cider Association. Register today! New York International Cider Competition - February 21, 2022 4rd Annual New York International Cider Competition for commercial makers. Judges are real buyers making this competition stand apart from all others in cider. Send in your ciders now. Commercial Makers - Enter the New York International Cider Competition  Help Support Cider Chat Please donate today. Help keep the chat thriving! Find this episode and all episodes at the page for Cider Chat's podcasts. Listen also at iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher (for Android), iHeartRadio , Spotify and wherever you love to listen to podcasts. Follow on Cider Chat's blog, social media and podcast Twitter @ciderchat Instagram: @ciderchatciderville Cider Chat FaceBook Page Cider Chat YouTube  

Episode 300 and the song "Strange Apples" In this episode we celebrate the 300th episode of Cider Chat and release a new cider song titled Strange Apples! This song is one part poking fun at ourselves as cidermakers  and enthusiasts for all things cider. I began writing this song one night while sitting along on a sailboat in the Santa Cruz Harbor in Santa Cruz California in August of 2021. I was in town taking care of family (my mom) and had a couple hours to myself, so I squirreled away on my brother's boat with the intention to put to song a little ditty that was playing out in my head. I wore head phones so that I wouldn't be cranking the tune and waking the liveaboard sailors around me. Water is my muse,  having grown up on a river bank and spent many a night singing with my cousin Jay and friends as we floated down the mighty river. In a few short days my cousin Jay and I,  would go into the Santa Cruz Recording studio and do the final wrap to this new cider song titled Strange Apples. A holiday tree adorned with Lady Apples - yes they are real Letter given to Ria from Apples, The Nose and the Talking Pommes to celebrate the 300th episode Lyrics to Strange Apple Jay Straaange Apples Jay Bitter Sharp Guitar rift Jay Straaange Apples R&J Juicy Ripe Guitar rift Bomp bomp bomp ba da da de do dump Bomp bomp bomp ba da da de do dump Jay Who wants a tannin bomb? Ria I want a tannin bomb? Jay Who wants to pull them down? Ria I’m gonna pull them down. Ria Hay, Hay Hay Apples R&J Bitter Sweet Jay Straaange Apples R&J Hanging high Drop down Jay Got those Straaange Apples R&J Forget the pie Drop down Jay Straaange Apples R&J Squeeze them tight Jay Got them…. (R&J) Straaange Apples, Straaange Apples Yes they’re Straaange Apples R&J Make them Pop! Rift Pop Pop Pop badada do do dop Pop Pop Pop badada do do dop Ria Who wants a tannin bomb? Jay I want a tannin bomb? Ria Who wants to pull them down? Jay I’m gonna pull them down. Jay Hay Hay Hay Apples R&J Come and see R&J Plenty strange apples R&J For you and me R&J Straaange Apples, Straaange Apples, Straaaaange Apples R&J Make them Pop! Pop Pop Pop badada do do dop Pop Pop Pop badada do do dop High Pop Pop Pop badada do do dop Pop Pop Pop - PopPopPopPop Ria & Jay Celebrating the recording of Strange Apples Looking back at Season 6 of Cider Chat 50 episode from #251 - 300 introduced cidermakers from Germany and throughout North America. Hear their voices and hello on this episode 300. For historical notes - let us never forget that Season 6 and 5 were completed during a world wide pandemic. Find all archived episodes for Season 6 and past season at https://ciderchat.com/podcast

The Boomers of America's Cider Trade Hudson Valley Farmhouse Cider founder Elizabeth Ryan tells the back story of key legislation that reduce taxes for US cidermakers in the 1990's. Though she may consider herself to be mentored by others, Elizabeth and her fellow cohorts of the day were giants before their time. [caption id="attachment_6714" align="aligncenter" width="200"] Elizabeth Ryan[/caption] Hear the story of what it looked like in the wee hours of day  at the House Way's and Mean Committee when the legislation passed. How then Democratic Representative Charles B. Rangel made a move to get the Republicans on board. Yes, political theater at its best. Key players in this Boomer Circle mentioned in this chat Judith and Terry Maloney - West County Cider | MA Steve Wood - Farnum Hill | NH Jerry House - Ace Cider | CA BF Clyde Cider Mill | CT Joseph Cerniglia - Wood Chuck | VT North America Cidermaking Association Bulmer's Cider | UK Mentions in this Chat CiderCon2021 February 1-4, 2022 - A virtual trade conference for the cider industry hosted by the American Cider Association New York International Cider Competition - February 21, 2022 4rd Annual New York International Cider Competition for commercial makers. Judges are real buyers making this competition stand apart from all others in cider. Send in your ciders now. 108 The Alcohol Professor chats Cider Competitions & Judging 162: S. Martinelli & Co. | 150 Years of Cider Episode 169: History of Alcohol Law | Marc Sorini 287: Elizabeth Ryan Hudson Valley Farmhouse Cider, NY Help Support Cider Chat Please donate today. Help keep the chat thriving! Find this episode and all episodes at the page for Cider Chat's podcasts. Listen also at iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher (for Android), iHeartRadio , Spotify and wherever you love to listen to podcasts. Follow on Cider Chat's blog, social media and podcast Twitter @ciderchat Instagram: @ciderchatciderville Cider Chat FaceBook Page Cider Chat YouTube

Gallettes at Scott Farm with Eden Specialty Cider Gallette dinners have been showcased at Scott Farm in Dummerston Vermont on Wednesday throughout 2021. Gallettes are a French cuisine where a batter is swirled around a flat cylindrical plate to form a round, flat, flexible bread. A gallette can be savory and stuffed with main course items such as cheese, mushroom and meat or savory. A savory gallette is filled with sweets like chocolate and or fruits. Making gallettes in quantity for the dinner ahead Gallettes can be found throughout France in cities like Paris and throughout the cider regions of Normandy and Brittany. Scott Farm General Manager Simon Renault hails from Brittany and introduce Gallettes to the farm. Simon also began making cider, keeved cider which is a typical cidermaking technique used in both France and the UK. In 2021, he produced the first ever keeved cider at Scott Farm and plans to ramp up production in 2022 with a bit of help from Eden Cider. Simon Renault Listen to episode 26 with Neil Worley who goes into detail on how to keeve a cider Eleanor Leger of Eden Cider was on hand pouring a flight of special reserve ciders that were both sparkling and her famous Ice Ciders. Eleanor Leger Ciders at the Gallette Dinner Simon’s Keeved Cider from Scott Farm Eden Ciders: Semi Dry Champagne method 2014 harvest Stormy Sparkling Cider Northern Spy Ice Cider - Barrel aged 2012 Heirloom Blend Ice Cider Contact Info for Scott Farm and Eden Specialty Cider Scott Farm | website: https://www.scottfarmvermont.com/ Eden Specialty Cider | website https://www.edenciders.com/ Mentions in this Chat  CiderCon2022 - sign up today for the Richmond, Virginia cider conference Audio clips from Season 5 of Cider Chat 242: Selecting Cider  Episode 236 - 241 are Part 1-6 of the Cidermaking Series 248: New England Quince Taste Test 2020 249: Old School Cidermaking for Modern Times Oliver's Cider and Perry | Hereford UK Help Support Cider Chat Please donate today. Help keep the chat thriving! Find this episode and all episodes at the page for Cider Chat's podcasts. Listen also at iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher (for Android), iHeartRadio , Spotify and wherever you love to listen to podcasts. Follow on Cider Chat's blog, social media and podcast Twitter @ciderchat Instagram: @ciderchatciderville Cider Chat FaceBook Page Cider Chat YouTube

Are Apples Odd? They sure are for those who solely define apples not by their names (which are often rather exotic like Mountain Rose or Kingston Black) but rather call them  by their color, red, green or yellow. In this episode hear Sean Turley and William Mullan present Apples 101, an overview on apples, and their origin at an open air event at Scotts Farm in Vermont on October 10, 2021. Turley hails from Maine. He is an attorney who is also a passionate apple forager or more specifically a "Feral Apple Forager". Sean Turley Mullan is an artist from Brooklyn, New York. His book Odd Apples, is a coffee table collectable picture book of gorgeous apples.   William Mullan Topics covered in this Righteous and Odd Apple presentation Myths of temperance Stark Brothers nursery and the apple - Red Delicious How grocery stores change the way apples are eaten vs Farmers Markets Tasting apples Get William Mullan's book Odd Apples. Click on the link below - Affiliate links at ciderchat.com may provide a kick back to this podcast, which is a great way to support Cider Chat Contact for Sean Turley and William Mullan Sean Turley @therighteousrusset on Instagram William Mullan @pomme_queen on Instagram Mentions in this Chat Scotts Farm, Vermont Northwest Cider Club - The final special cider box for the end of the year 2021 features Montana, Idaho ciders in the Discover Box and Elevated Box Listen to past episodes with makers in the Big Sky Cider Box 293: Montana Cider Lockhorn Cider 295: Western Cider 296: Bauman's Cider CiderCon2022 - sign up today for the Richmond, Virginia cider conference Audio clips from Season 4 of Cider Chat 157 County Cork's Killahora Orchard | Ireland 187 We Want More Cider Help Support Cider Chat Please donate today. Help keep the chat thriving! Find this episode and all episodes at the page for Cider Chat's podcasts. Listen also at iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher (for Android), iHeartRadio , Spotify and wherever you love to listen to podcasts. Follow on Cider Chat's blog, social media and podcast Twitter @ciderchat Instagram: @ciderchatciderville Cider Chat FaceBook Page Cider Chat YouTube

Who is Bauman Cider Christine Walter is the cidermaker and visionary of Bauman's Cider.  She grew up on an apple farm in Oregon runned by her family. As she tells it, Angry Orchard's "Crisp" was the first cider she ever tasted and it was a wake up moment that helped her realize that her family could ferment and sell cider too. Christine Walter   Bauman's is a destination farm these days with a farm stand and events taking place year round. It has a deli, coffee shop, bakery, garden center, country store and now a cidery. In 2015 she took the well know cider course by Peter Mitchell. The family was already pressing 50,000 gallons of fresh pressed apple juice. The first year the cidery used 3000 gallons, the next year 10,000 gallons, in year 3 the cidery used 50,000 which required her to source apples from off the farm. In short she went from the classic Peter Mitchell model of a basic 10x10 foot cidery to a 3000 square foot operation. Despite the added space, she sees the need for more. Christine's rough estimate of current juice used in production is round about 100,000 gallons - twice the amount pressed at one time for just the fresh juice market. Here is the full story as told by Christine in this episode from her Great, Great Grandmother's homestead. Her Great Grandfather Stephen lived his whole life on the farm and also made cider back in the day. Stephen is actually the man standing on all of Bauman's flagship cider labels. Bauman's Cidery Goal & Products The goal is to remain a local product and not look to produce or the wider market outside of Gervais, Oregon. Flagship Cider Loganberry - hear Christine explain how to process Loganberries for cider, a bit of history of loganberries at Bauman Farm. All our Berries  - blend of all the delicious berries that Bauman's can supply! Traditional Ciders at Bauman's Small batch (100-300 gallon) single varietal ciders Contact Bauman's Cider Website: https://baumanscider.com/#about Address: Bauman’s Cider at Bauman Farms 12989 Howell Prairie Rd NE, Gervais, Oregon 97026 Mentions in this Chat Northwest Cider Club - The final special cider box for the end of the year 2021 features Montana, Idaho ciders in the Discover Box and Elevated Box The Place - a cider bar in Portland, Oregon Audio clips from Season 3 of Cider Chat Episodes 105: Tom Oliver on Making Perry | UK 109: Ice Cidermaking Tips w/ Chadd Cook Help Support Cider Chat Please donate today. Help keep the chat thriving! Find this episode and all episodes at the page for Cider Chat's podcasts. Listen also at iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher (for Android), iHeartRadio , Spotify and wherever you love to listen to podcasts. Follow on Cider Chat's blog, social media and podcast Twitter @ciderchat Instagram: @ciderchatciderville Cider Chat FaceBook Page Cider Chat YouTube

Who is Western Cider Texans Michael Billingsley and Matthew LaRubbio are childhood friends who now both live in Montana and founded Western Cider in 2010. The cidery is based in Missoula and has an indoor and outdoor tasting room alongside the Clark Fork River.  Michael credits his love for Montana to the television series Lonesome Dove which he describes as an "epic journey of two Texas Rangers who head up to Montana to start a cattle ranch". He fell for Montana via that tv series, moved up and hasn’t left. In 2012 he planted an orchard which now has over 50 varieties of apples. Michael Billingsley “I plant new ones that I don’t have every year because, I have a… bit of a sick obsession. And I just want to find out if there might be some great cultivar out there that I don’t have and maybe I should." Michael Billingsley Cidermaker Kira Bassingthwaighte was born and raised in northern Montana by Glacier National Park. She admits to not fully appreciating the breath taking views that surrounded her as a child. In short order she moved to New York to study at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA). Being in New York and specifically the Hudson River Valley met she was able to dive into her love of wine, but cider was also growing in this region too. She knew she wanted to be in the beverage world and also back in Montana. She worked for a spell at a distillery before going full in as a cidermaker and taking the lead role at Western Cider. Kira Bassingthwaighte Topics in this chat Life in Montana - misconceptions and new beginnings Orcharding in Montana Modern and Traditional cidermaking at Western The local thirst for cider and the changing culture of cider in the Big Sky area Hunting & cooking alligator and pairing it with cider Contact for Western Cider Website: https://westerncider.com/ Address:  501 N. California Missoula, MT Phone:tele: 4065404477 Mentions in this Chat Northwest Cider Club - The final special cider box for the end of the year 2021 features Montana, Idaho ciders in the Discover Box and Elevated Box Audio clips from Season 2 of Cider Chat Eric Bordelet episodes on Cider Chat 57, 58 , & 172  Get the bonus audio with Eric on juice to bottle by becoming a Patron of Cider Chat today. Link below. 089: Reusing an Oak Barrel for Cider  Help Support Cider Chat Please donate today. Help keep the chat thriving! Find this episode and all episodes at the page for Cider Chat's podcasts. Listen also at iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher (for Android), iHeartRadio , Spotify and wherever you love to listen to podcasts. Follow on Cider Chat's blog, social media and podcast Twitter @ciderchat Instagram: @ciderchatciderville Cider Chat FaceBook Page Cider Chat YouTube