Just a few thoughts on cider as I stroll through the cider apple section of the orchard where the last apples are just hanging on and I begin to reflect on the season that has alomost passed by. And why do so many people try desperately to make average to dull white wine in the south of England when they could make absolutely first class cider?
Cider contains alcohol which can make you p***ed and also foul up your liver, brain and life if taken too much and too often, but its very nice if taken moderately, especially with friends., Since this is so, we should think amongst other things about the carbon costs of making and transporting alcoholic drinkls. And cider wins HANDS DOWN. You start with TREES whcih look great and take carbon out of the atmosphere. Plant some hedgerows round your orchard and let some of the grass grow long and you have great biodiversity. Converting the apples into juice requires very litel energy input, and from then on, almost none. Local cider has not used much carbon being moved from place to place either Beer is made using a process involving boiling barley malt extracted in water with hops for 90 minutes. Locally produced and consumed cider is a very ecologically sounbd product compared to imported wine or any distilled drink or beer. Best enjoyed with friends and not too much or too often
