Kelly's Traditional Cider Cider, The Drink Of The Celts
Ever since Eve first tempted Adam with her juicy apple, people have enjoyed drinking cider. The fermented drink made from apple juice is called "cider" around the world, and is known as "hard cider" in America. In the ancient Celtic world, cider had sacred associations in their religious ceremonies. The Celts lived in the cooler weather parts of Europe where apple orchards grew well but where grapes would not grow. Cider was their alternative to wine.
In the days before refrigeration, apples quickly rotted and juice turned sour easily. By fermenting the juice and making cider, it was possible to store it longer.
The early settlers in America enjoyed cider in large quantities. In the 19th century, American hard cider consumption topped 50 million gallons. Then German immigrants arrived and converted Americans to beer and ciders popularity decreased further as the Temperance Movement gained strength. Prohibition in the 1920's finally destroyed the business. Farmers were forced to dig up their cider apple orchards which had taken many years to develop. After prohibition was lifted in1933, beer production got the advantage and ciders remained dormant for many years.
Good, quality cider starts with the correct bittersweet cider apple juice. Cider apples are grown only for fermentation and are high in tannins. Cider apples are grown in Ireland, England, and France. Each year in Ireland 14 million gallons of cider is consumed. Cider sales have been growing steadily in the U.S. since 1990 and are now over 7.5 million cases per year.
