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…
CIDERS FROM INDIA/ Sidras de la India
It might sound weird to talk about cider in India, but this 2,000-year-old traditional drink has recently enter the country market. “In recent years, there has been a renaissance of interest in cider drinking, both in America and Europe, so India could not have reamained untouched for long”, cider manufacturer Dinesh Gupta, who launched Tempest…
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…
DRINKING RIGHT, POURING RIGHT/ Beber bien, escanciar bien
Asturian pouring masterclasses conducted by experts are an excellent way to learn not only about pouring, but also about drinking cider. Most of the times cider it is not well poured, nor drunk the way it should be. To pour it right, one must appreciate it. And this is achieved by learning to drink it….
NEW CIDER MEETING EDITION IN MADRID/ Nueva edición de la Sidroquedada en Madrid
Next Saturday, 8th February, the 262nd edition of the Sidroquedada (Cider Meeting) will be held at restaurant A Ñora in Madrid. The party will start at 21.30 with a good cider tasting at the marquee set up for the event, with the aim of meeting new people and enjoying the company of real Asturian cider…
HEREFORD CIDER MUSEUM/ Museo de la Sidra de Hereford
Orchads are a way of life in Herefordshire, England, a treasured part of its landscape, and here is where you can find a whole world related to cider. This was the birthplace of Bulmer’s Cider. Henry Percival Bulmer started making cider in 1887 and a year later purchased a plot of ground on the outskirts…
12 FUN FACTS ABOUT APPLE CIDER/ 12 datos curiosos sobre la sidra de manzana
The Internet is full of amazing facts about everything., so today let’s have a look at the ones related to apple cider. 1. On November 18th, 1307 The legendary William Tell shot an apple from his son’s head. November 18th is now National Apple Cider Day in the UK. 2. In the 19th Century cider was advertised as…
THE CIDER MONUMENT/ El Monumento a la Sidra
In the British county of Somerset there is a 140 feet tall monument officially referred to as the Burton Pynsent Monument, which all the locals know as The Cider Monument. Erected 700 feet above the pastures of West Sedge Moor, it has 172 steps inside which lead to breathtaking views and it is a perfect…
Ciderayalga 