CAFRE celebrates World Cider Day
June 3, 2021
CAFRE Loughry Food Technologists Audrey Kelly and Milan Havlicek recently attended an online cider conference ‘Craftcon 2021’ in preparation for the new apple cider season.
Thursday 3rd June marks World Cider Day, the beginning of the apple cider season all over the world. It is an international expression of respect for the popular drink made from fermented apple juice. The United Kingdom is the largest cider producer worldwide accounting for approximately 60% of global production. Northern Ireland has a long history of cider making, with apples being grown for over 3,000 years in County Armagh. There are currently around ten craft cider producers operating in Northern Ireland.
Craftcon 2021 was organised by Three Counties Cider & Perry Association (TCCPA), the only professional conference in the UK dedicated to the craft cider sector. Over two days the sessions encompassed sustainability in all its forms, from orchard biodiversity through to economic business sustainability.
During the online event, CAFRE Food Technologists networked with a variety of craft cider specialists involved with cider manufacturing and marketing. Technical and quality issues around kegging, bottling, yeast propagation, and apple milling were discussed. Ice cider was reviewed as an additional new cider concept, although the Northern Ireland weather may not support this manufacturing process.
If you are interested in developing a beverage product or have a technical query, contact the CAFRE Food Technologists at Loughry Campus, email: loughry.foodtechnology@daera-ni.gov.uk.