Go on a course: cider making

Transform your apple harvest into something with a little kick. By Ruth Chandler

'Somerset is orchard country and the home of dozens of affectionately named apple varieties, including Tom Putt, Pig's Snout and Silver Cup. So what better place to learn the art of cider making than  at Dobunni Fruit Farm, in Lympsham, on a one-day course at Peter Mitchell's Cider Academy?

'Being an award-winning producer himself, Peter had plenty of experience from which to draw expert advice and enthusiasm throughout the morning's theory session. From fruit farmers to those simply partial to an odd glass of cider, like myself, we sat in the classroom learning about the numerous elements of production.

'These include apple storage, fruit presses, juice yields, the rule of blending bittersweet and bittersharp apple varieties, cider microbiology and - last but certainly not least - alcohol production. The morning's class was peppered with several surprising facts, too, such as that apples will float in water, while pears sink. By the afternoon, we were ready to get stuck into the practical laboratory work, for which we paired-up.

'We began by preparing our 5-litre demijohns and poured in 4½ litres of pressed Cox juice. To aid fermentation and prevent infection we added sulphur dioxide and then tested for the correct pH level. Next we added the all-important yeast, of which is required an astonishing 100 million cells per millilitre of juice. We calculated the volume of sugar to add based on what alcohol percentage we were after. I plumped for a hefty 8.5%. The sugar is added once fermentation begins so we did this when we got home. The higher the alcohol content the longer the cider will last - though I was pretty sure mine wasn't going to be around for long.

'I left armed with the manual Peter had given us and optimistic for my soon-to-be cider. After two months of maturation, I was able to sip my first glass of home-brew - it was pretty good, actually.'

For details of Peter Mitchell's courses, call 01386 552324 or visit www.cider-academy.co.uk.

 Click here for the full Country Living course directory 

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