A Brief History of Cider

There is a general concensus that apple trees existed along the Nile River Delta as early as 1300BC, but it is unclear whether cider was ever produced from their fruit.

When the Romans arrived in England in 55BC, they were reported to have found the local Kentish villagers drinking a delicious cider-like beverage made from apples. It has been recorded that the Romans and in particular their leader, Julius Caesar, embraced the pleasant pursuit with enthusiasm! How long the locals had been making this apple drink, prior to the arrival of the Romans is anybody’s guess. By the beginning of the ninth century, cider drinking was well established in Europe and a reference made by Charlemagne clearly confirms its popularity.

After the Norman Conquest of 1066, cider consumption became widespread in England and orchards were established specifically to produce cider apples.

During medieval times, cider making was an important industry. Monastries sold vast quantities of their strong, spiced cider to the public. Farm labourers received a cider allowance as part of their wages – the quantity increased during hay making.

English cider making probably peaked around the mid seventeenth century, when almost every farm had its own cider orchard and press. Cider regained its popularity during the twentieth century, but demand was largely for the mass-produced variety. Only in recent years has traditional cider making finally triumphed.

American history tells a different tale. Early English settlers introduced cider to America by bringing with them seeds for cultivating cider apples. During the colonial period, hard cider was one of America’s most popular beverages.

Often, a town’s prosperity was judged by the volume of cider it produced! Consumption increased steadily during the eighteenth century, only to plummet dramatically after 1919, with prohibition.

Cider Facts