Here’s the perfect excuse for a glass of lockdown cider – Steve Cardownie

In case you weren’t aware, today is World Cider Day – people from all parts of the globe will be celebrating by raising a glass or two of that tasty, refreshing drink.

Although it has recently exploded on to the scene with imports from many countries comprising all kind of flavours, apple cider has been around for quite a while.

The Celts had been enjoying this fermented drink for some time, as the Romans discovered when they invaded Britain around 55BC.

Indeed, it is documented that the Celts in Britain had been imbibing cider made out of bitter crab apples since 3000BC.

The word “cider” originally had a number of meanings from “strong liquor” to “liquor made from the juice of fruits” before being narrowed down to meaning “fermented drink made from apples”.

It has a low alcohol content (in comparison to wine, for instance) because even the sweetest apples contain far less sugar than grapes and in vats of cider, yeast eats whatever sugar is available, turning it into alcohol and carbon dioxide. Once the sugar is gone the yeast dies off and a fermented cider is left behind which contains around 4% to 5% alcohol.

So, if you have run out of excuses for having a drink during lockdown (that is if you ever needed one in the first place), then World Cider Day is ready made and available for use. Cheers!

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