Apple cider flight. Roman Svozilek / pixabay.com / 2018 / CC0 1.0
The 3rd of June is World Cider Day.
The day is designed to promote production and consumption of apple cider, and involve everyone from apple growers to brewers to retailers to consumers.
Apple cider is made as far south as Argentina, Australia and New Zealand.
June was chosen to mark the start of the busy summer sales season for cider in the northern hemisphere.
Cider comes in many varieties. For starters, there’s what can be termed “hard cider” and “soft cider”, or, alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Beyond that, there’s also sour or sweet, carbonated or still.
It is available on tap in pubs, or in cans or bottles from stores.
The German initiators of today mention only apple cider, but, other cider producers seem to want to include pear cider (“perry“) as well: “‘You don’t really need an excuse to enjoy a drink of cider or perry…'” said Cider Australia President Sam Reid.” [1]McKellar, Hugh. World Cider Day. 2 June 2016. Accessed May 2021 at https://www.realciderreviews.com/news/world-cider-day/
In Australia, the day comes at the perfect time for producers to enjoy some, as they have a bit of a lull after last year’s season before they have to start pruning the apple trees for the coming year. [2]”The more keen orchardists among us might be already pruning the trees but generally that doesn’t take place until later in the year – it’s a time to relax slightly after running at 100 miles an hour for the past few months…” for many in the industry it’s actually the best chance they have to enjoy a relaxing beverage.” — McKellar, Hugh. World Cider Day. 2 June 2016. Accessed May 2021 at https://www.realciderreviews.com/news/world-cider-day/
World Cider Day Logo (from media pack)
Apple cider orchards have disappeared as cider went out of fashion and demand for suburban housing space claimed the land. Orchards that are abandoned can become infested with mistletoe, stunting the growth of the trees and even killing some.
Preserving these orchards has an ecological importance, as many old apple orchards have become a source of biodiversity. and act as habitat for flora and fauna: “A typical meadow orchard is home to more than 5,000 species of animals and plants.” [3]Hein, Carlo. Ramborn to Celebrate World Cider Day this Sunday. Luxembourg: The Luxembourg Chronicle. 28 May 2018. Accessed May 2021 at http://www.chronicle.lu/category/things-to-see-do/25957-ramborn-to-celebrate-world-cider-day-this-sunday
Web site: https://www.worldciderday.com/
#WorldCiderDay
See also: Applejack, Cider, Cider Apples, Cider Vinegar, Perry, Wassailing the apple trees, Hot Mulled Cider Day, Johnny Appleseed Day
Activities for today
- look for tastings offered in local pubs;
- take a drive out of the city and visit local cider press houses;
- bring home several different bottles and cans of cider and have friends round for an afternoon or evening tasting;
- if the day is chilly, try some mulled apple cider;
- try a recipe that calls for apple cider;
- some orchards may offer tours of the orchards.
Recipes using cider
Resources
Andress, Elizabeth L. and Judy A. Harrison. Making Apple Cider. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension System. FDNS-E-91. November 2003, rev. Oct. 2006.
History
The day was launched in Hesse, Germany by the Association of Apple Wine and Fruit Juice Press Houses (Verband der Hessischen Apfelwein- und Fruchtsaft-Keltereien e.V.).
It was first observed in 2016: “World Cider Day will be held for the first time tomorrow, Friday June 3rd [2016].” [4]McKellar, Hugh. World Cider Day. 2 June 2016. Accessed May 2021 at https://www.realciderreviews.com/news/world-cider-day/ “World Cider Day was originally launched in 2016 by the members of the Association of Apple Wine and Fruit Juice Press Houses in Hesse, Germany, and since then it has grown to include events all over the world, including Australia, the USA and Luxembourg.” [5]Hein, Carlo. Ramborn to Celebrate World Cider Day this Sunday. Luxembourg: The Luxembourg Chronicle. 28 May 2018. Accessed May 2021 at http://www.chronicle.lu/category/things-to-see-do/25957-ramborn-to-celebrate-world-cider-day-this-sunday
Sources
Baker-Dowdell, Johanna. Brady’s Lookout Cider celebrates World Cider Day on Saturday. Launceston, Tasmania, Australia: The Examiner. 1 June 2018. Accessed May 2021 at https://www.examiner.com.au/story/5442663/celebrate-ciders-cult-status-on-world-cider-day/
World Cider Day Poster (from media pack)
References
| ↑1 | McKellar, Hugh. World Cider Day. 2 June 2016. Accessed May 2021 at https://www.realciderreviews.com/news/world-cider-day/ |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | ”The more keen orchardists among us might be already pruning the trees but generally that doesn’t take place until later in the year – it’s a time to relax slightly after running at 100 miles an hour for the past few months…” for many in the industry it’s actually the best chance they have to enjoy a relaxing beverage.” — McKellar, Hugh. World Cider Day. 2 June 2016. Accessed May 2021 at https://www.realciderreviews.com/news/world-cider-day/ |
| ↑3 | Hein, Carlo. Ramborn to Celebrate World Cider Day this Sunday. Luxembourg: The Luxembourg Chronicle. 28 May 2018. Accessed May 2021 at http://www.chronicle.lu/category/things-to-see-do/25957-ramborn-to-celebrate-world-cider-day-this-sunday |
| ↑4 | McKellar, Hugh. World Cider Day. 2 June 2016. Accessed May 2021 at https://www.realciderreviews.com/news/world-cider-day/ |
| ↑5 | Hein, Carlo. Ramborn to Celebrate World Cider Day this Sunday. Luxembourg: The Luxembourg Chronicle. 28 May 2018. Accessed May 2021 at http://www.chronicle.lu/category/things-to-see-do/25957-ramborn-to-celebrate-world-cider-day-this-sunday |