Cider is a beloved alcoholic beverage that has been tantalising the tastebuds of apple-loving drinkers for centuries. The drink is traditionally made from apples, with a crisp and refreshing taste that appeals to a wide range of palates.
If you have ever wondered about the journey these apples take from growing in an orchard to being available at a liquor wholesale store, you’re in for a treat. Behind every sip of cider lies a fascinating story of apple varieties carefully selected to create the perfect blend for one reason: your enjoyment.
The Art of Cider Production
Producing the highest-quality cider requires a meticulous blend of tradition, innovation, and a profound understanding of the alchemical transformation within the humble apple. This process marries time-honoured craftsmanship with modern techniques, resulting in a symphony of flavours that dance upon the palate.
Cider production begins with the selection of apple varieties. Just as a painter carefully selects colours for their canvas, cider makers meticulously choose apples for their taste, aroma, and characteristics.
Heritage apple varieties like bittersweet and bitter sharp bring depth and complexity, while dessert apples such as Gala and Golden Delicious contribute natural sweetness.
Yet, cider production extends beyond the mere choice of apples. The journey involves the delicate interplay of fermentation, where yeast acts as a maestro conducting the transformation of sugars into alcohol. This process breathes life into the selected apple blend, creating a symphony of aromas and flavours that harmonise to create the distinctive profile of each cider.
Unique Apple Varieties Behind Your Favourite Ciders
Bittersweet Apples: Unveiling Complexity and Depth
Bittersweet apples, characterised by their intriguing juxtaposition of bitterness and tannins, play a pivotal role in shaping the multifaceted profiles of ciders. With juice high in tannins but low in acid, bittersweet apples are often blended with more acidic varieties to complete the flavour profile. Another reason is that low-acid juices are often high in bacteria, so adding a high-acid juice helps protect the fermentation process.
Notable examples include Dabinett, Binet Rouge, Ashton Bitter, and many more. The specific type will depend on the brand of cider and may contribute to their unique taste.
Bittersharp Apples: Zestful Vigour and Balance
Apples such as Kingston Black and Foxwhelp are known as bittersharp variations. They have high tannins, which provide the bite synonymous with apple cider. These apples embody the harmonious synergy between bitterness and acidity, infusing ciders with a vibrant zest that awakens the palate. The resulting ciders achieve a captivating balance, where each sip presents a lively interplay between the refreshing tang and subtle bitterness.
Bittersharp apples bring a refreshing twist to traditional cider blends. They add complexity that tantalises the taste buds, inviting exploration of the rich flavours in every glass.
Sweet Apples: Nectarous Indulgence
Gala, Golden Delicious, and Honeycrisp are apples with an orchard-fresh sweetness that bursts with natural sugars. While these apples are typically savoured as delightful snacks, using them in cider production may add a layer of indulgence to the craft.
Incorporating sweet apples imparts a gentle sweetness to ciders, akin to the warmth of a comforting embrace. This mellowness complements the broader cider landscape, offering a touch of nectarous indulgence that’s both inviting and sophisticated.
Sharp Apples: Crisp Vibrancy
On the other end of the spectrum, sharp apples such as Granny Smith and Bramley inject a vibrant, tangy vibrancy into the cider world. Characterised by their bold acidity, these apples enliven the palate with their crisp bite and refreshing zest.
When woven into cider blends, sharp apples act as a catalyst, infusing the final product with a lively energy that dances on the tongue.
Sharp apples serve as a counterpoint to the sweetness of other apple varieties, harmonising with their counterparts to create a balanced and captivating taste profile. With every sip, the crisp vibrancy of sharp apples reminds the senses of the sheer vitality that nature brings to the table.
Elevate Your Offerings with Unique Cider Kegs from Expert Distributors
If you enjoy a high-quality apple cider and are looking for a liquor wholesaler to provide your company with one of Australia’s most extensive range of beverages, then consider Paramount Liquor. Whether you want to buy cider kegs or a bottle of wine, your daily-owned business has got you covered with over 9000 beverage options for you to choose from.