Cidermaking has been at the heart of country life for hundreds of years. But the fascinating story of how and why cider became so deeply rooted in Britain's heritage has never been told.
This book is a delightful romp through the history and craft of cider, it would make a lovely gift for someone interested in craft ale, cidermaking and country life.
James Crowden traces an elusive history stretching back to the ancient, myth-infused civilisations of the Mediterranean and the wild apple forests of Kazakhstan.
Meeting cider experts, farmers and historians, he unearths the surprising story of an apple that travelled from east to west and proved irresistible to everyone who tasted it.
Upon its arrival in Britain, monks, pirates and politicians all courted the company of a drink that might guide them through uncertain times.
The nation’s love affair with the apple blossomed into experimentation that would lead to the creation of a ‘sparkling cider’, a technique that pre-dated Dom Pérignon's champagne by forty years.
