There is a new cider challenge in progress. It is called the #LongPourChallenge and has been started by Bristolian cider expert Gabe Cook, The Ciderologist. It consists of pouring cider from a height, in the traditional Asturian way, and nominate some people to follow the challenge. As I see it, these games are perfect to…
Categoría: Asturias
DECALOGUE OF THE CIDER POURER/ Decálogo del escanciador
Pourers must observe an upright, but not rigid posture. 2. The arm which holds the bottle must be stretched up above the head. 3. The arm which holds the glass must be stretched down to the centre of the pourer’s body. 4. The bottle must be held with the index, middle and ring fingers in…
NEW CIDER STAMPS & POSTMARKS/ Nuevos sellos y matasellos sidreros
The Spanish Postal Service will dedicate a miniature sheet to cider and broad beans, two of the Asturian landmarks, as part of the “Gastronomy, Protected Designation of Origin” series. It will be released on 20th March with a 3-euro face value. Envelopes with the postmark of First Day of Emission will be presented at noon…
EDIBLE CIDER/ Sidra para comer
Nowadays, there are many ways to enjoy cider, not only by drinking it. It is obviously not the same, but loads of products are offered to please the sweet-toothed people’s palate. Villa Melba, Aramburu, Don Ramiro and La Fabariega, which uses cider from Los Gemelos cidermill, offer their artisan apple and natural cider jelly. Cider…
CIDER THROUGH MEMORY/ Sidra en el recuerdo
Sparkling or champagne cider is not new in Asturias, as it started being produced in the XIX century to be exported in overseas trade. And, though some of the best known brands are still active, like El Gaitero or Mayador, some others are in our memories in the form of beautiful old advertising, both in…
CIDER BETWEEN TWO SPRINGS/ Sidra entre dos primaveras
The cycle of our most typical drink takes place during the months between two springs. Once the pumares (apple trees) blossom, the process culminating with the tasting in the llagar (cider press-house) or chigre (cider bar) starts. Before pouring a culín (glass of cider), the following must happen: PICKING: Pañar the apples. The picking season…
THE CONVIVIAL MEAL, A COMMUNAL RITE/ La espicha, un rito colectivo
Espichas, or convivial meals in Asturias, are ritual celebrations when the cider barrel is opened, after an approximately two-month aging. Once a small hole is opened in the barrel, cider is tasted and then, it is plugged again with a wooden spiKE called espicha. This is from which this tasting action takes its name and,…
THE CIDER BAR, A MEETING POINT/ El chigre, punto de reunión
The chigre, formerly named after a utensil found in ships to bail water, is the device which, attached to a wall, includes a very powerful corkscrew to open cider bottles. It became a successful tool in cider bars so, extensively, they were named chigres and their owners, chigreros. Nowadays, there are nearly 7,000 premises selling…
CIDER CARE/ Cuidados de la sidra
Asturian cider requires a special treatment in its storage and handling. It must be kept in a fresh place and away from heat sources, including sun exposure. The dark green colour of the bottles helps to prevent it. Cider must be cool, but not cold –between 12 and 14 degrees Celsius; so it is advisable,…
ASTURIAN CIDER APPLES/ Manzanas de sidra asturiana
Not all kinds of apples are suitable to make cider, as a good one should be a little bit sweet, but sharp and bitter as well. There is plenty of apple varieties which provide high levels of sugar and, hence, sweetness; but they also boost alcoholic content. In contrast, we have acidic and bitter apples…
ASTURIAN NATURAL CIDERS/ Sidras naturales asturianas
CIDER MILLS/ LLAGARES: Acebal, Angones, Buznego, Cabañon, Cabueñes, Canal, Castañon, Llagareros del Caudal, Conceyu (Menendez), Contrueces, De Pura Madre (JR), El Duque, El Mancu (Vallina), El Piloñu, Estrada, Fonciello, Foncueva, Frutos, Gelo, Herminio, Jose (El Piloñu), La Galana (JR), La Llarada, La Primera (El Duque), L’ Allume, Llagar de Bernueces, Llagar de Quintana (Menendez), Los…
THE CIDERMILL, WHERE EVERYTHING STARTS/ El llagar, donde todo comienza
The llagar (cider press) is, strictely speaking, the mechanical tool used to press apples and extract their juice. However, it extensively ended up giving its name to the premises where it is installed; that is, the building where cider is made. In autumn, ripe fruit is ready and activity begins. The inside of the barrels…
Ciderayalga 