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…
A WORLD OF CIDER/ Un mundo de sidra
Cider is a beverage made all over the world and from many different ingredients that provide for a range of flavours and styles; from tart and dry to sweet and rich, clear or cloudy, still or fizzy. Apart from the amazing varieties found in Asturian cider, different countries offer different cider drinking experiences. While English…
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…
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…
Ciderayalga 