English cider interview with Michael Jones

In this podcast Peter Brown chats with local apple enthusiast Michael Jones about his passion for producing cider from an 11-acre community orchard in North Buckinghamshire. In the podcast we learn that cider is basically fermented apple juice however the process from apple to bottle is far from simple! You need plenty of buckets, different apple varieties and the necessary kit, but it’s fun and you are always learning from the process.

From selecting the apples, to getting the correct flavour balance, Michael explains his methods with plenty of great advice along the way. We look at the best varieties of apples you can grow, plus hints and tips on getting the best quality from your cider and orchard apples. Michael also chats about creating his cider making courses – based on his own experience. Hopefully these courses will resume in 2022 but Michael provides us with a wealth of reference points to get us on our way.

Choose your cider apples – the mix is critical. Apple ‘Dabinett’ is a good variety but needs additional flavour. You need to experiment with the varieties, and this comes from experience, however a mix of ripe cider (a mixture of bittersweet and bittersharps) and orchard apples usually provides a good balanced cider. Avoid early fallers – they are not worth it – leave those for the birds. The later the better with apple collecting says Michael. When half have fallen then shake off the rest from the tree if you can|

Cider types: Sharp cider apples have high acidity and low tannin and include varieties such as ‘Crimson King’, ‘Brown’s’ and ‘Frederick’; Bittersharps have high acidity and high tannin so varieties like ‘Kingston Black’ and ‘Foxwhelp’ would be found in this group. Sweet apples have low tannin and low acidity and the name usually gives it away – ‘Sweet Coppin’, ‘Sweet Alford’ and ‘Morgan Sweet’ and the Bittersweet with low acidity and high tannin ‘Somerset Redstreak’, ‘Yarlington Mill’ and ‘Ashton Brown Jersey’.

Apples ‘Spartan’, ‘Egremont Russet’ and Cox’s Orange Pippin - all have good flavour and balance and always use very ripe apples for best results.

Must have apples for your orchard would include heritage varieties such as ‘Dabinett’, ‘Chesil Jersey’, ‘Camelot’, ‘Kingston Black’, ‘Tom Putt’ and ‘Harry Masters Jersey’.

Apples to avoid for cider making: Use cooking apples sparingly, ‘Norfolk Beefing’, early apples don’t work like ‘Beauty of Bath’ or ‘Morgan’s Sweet’.

Products mentioned

Pulpmaster

5.5 Litre Ferrari Aluminium Cross Beam Fruit Press

Hydrometer

Cider Yeast

Westons Cider Tour

Thatchers Cider Tour

Michael’s book recommendations

Cider Apples: The new Pomona by Liz Copas

Craft Cider Making by Andrew Lea

Real Cidermaking on a small scale by Michael Pooley and John Lomax

Michael’s Desert Island Cider Apple would be Apple ‘Dabinett’, use as a monoculture cider or can be successfully mixed with others too.

Useful links

The Orchard Project helps develop resilient communities with the skills to plant, and care for fruit trees; helping us all to rediscover the pleasure of eating home-grown fruit.

People’s Trust for Endangered Species

East of England Orchard Group

Gloucester Orchard Trust

Royal Horticultural Society Fruit Group

Small Woods are the UK organisation for woodland owners, workers, supporters, and social foresters.

The Mid Shires Orchard Group aims to conserve and promote enjoyment and use of the local orchards and rich top fruit traditions of the four 'mid-shires'. Our Scion Graft and Grow Day is planned for February 2022, follow us on Facebook to find out more.

Apple Day origins

Sarah Juniper is a keen apple grower and enthusiast.

All about Long Ashton Research Station

Cider apple varieties and identification (archive).

Music by Chiltern Music Therapy

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