cider
Bristol's Heritage
Somerset is famous for its cider, known as scrumpy. Scrumpy is completely different from "fizzy" ciders. It is made of pure fermented apple juice. Old maps of Bristol show that many orchards existed in areas where houses now stand in Withywood and Hartcliffe . In the past cider was a staple drink in this part of the country. It was drunk every day often in large quantities and sometimes it was even given in part payment of farm labourers' wages!
What we found out
Young people from E2E visited Wilkins Cider Farm to find out how real cider was made and to have a taste! The Wilkins family have made cider since 1917.
Cider apples such as Kingston Black are minced and pressed in hessian cloths called "cheeses". The juice is stored in 118 gallon barrels and can be drunk after 3 months.
The farm said it was not unusual for 20 pints to be drunk a day by men working in the field but they didn't get drunk as the alcohol was sweated out by hard work!
Resources
- Wilkes Cider Farm - Tours by appointment Land's End Farm, Mudgley, Wedmore, Somerset. Tel 01934 712385
- Coombe Cider - Japonica Farm, Mark Causeway, Highbridge TA9 4QD Tel 01278 641265
- Hecks Cider - Cider makers since 1840 Tours by appointment
9-11 Middle Leigh, Street, Somerset, BA16 0LB. Tel 01458 442367 - Common Ground is a charity that initiated the national Apple Day event (usually held in October) and has several publications on local apples. Gold Hill House, 21 High Street, Shaftsbury, Dorset, SP7 8JE, UK. Tel: 01747 850820
- Somerset County Council website providing information on cider makers, cider history and lots more. www.somerset.gov.uk/celebratingsomerset/cidermap/home.htm
To make your own cider 