One of my favorite times of the day for me is when David comes home from work. I enjoy sharing what I worked on throughout the day and learning about David’s day. One thing David and I always discuss is which Holiday has happened that day. Being able to let David know June 3rd was World Cider Day #WorldCiderDay was exciting because Apple Cider is David’s go-to- beverage in the Winter. Before you ask Charlie and I don’t like Apple Cider. Do you?
Here is something that would make a fun Homeschool Resource take your students Apple Picking and then come home and make Homemade Apple Cider and for dessert you could make Apple Sauce as well. Then you and your students could study how Cider was discovered. Adults could visit places serving Cider. Would you like to join David and I on a visit to a place serving Cider?
Cider is made from crisp juicy Apples. Cider is a beloved beverage that has fans literally all over the world and, in some places, Cider has even developed a bit of a cult following. From the freshly pressed non-alcoholic variety to the hand crafted hard Ciders that offer a huge array of flavors, World Cider Day is meant to appreciate them all.
World Cider Day is not to be confused with Apple Cider Day which is celebrated in November. Cider Day is in honor of World Cider Day where the enjoyment of all types of Cider, including hard Ciders, is celebrated all over the globe! Although hard Cider has become a popular beverage again in recent decades, Ciders origins actually go much further back, to the early European Colonial settlers. For a couple of centuries Cider was the drink of choice in the Eastern United States where Apples were grown prolifically.
Sadly, the popularity of Cider died down a bit in the 1800s, and then prohibition efforts in the early 20th Century brought production to a halt. But, in the late 1970s, when craft brewing started making a reappearance, Cider followed along with the flow and has been growing in popularity ever since.
Woodchuck Cider started its company in 1991 and has been faithfully brewing Ciders that people love ever since. Then, in 2012, when Boston Beer Company (maker of Samuel Adams beer) turned their attention toward their Angry Orchard Cider arm of the company, they quickly rose to the top of popularity. World Cider Day is the culmination of all of this and more, made to enjoy and appreciate the long and lovely history of turning Apples into a delicious and delightful beverage that can be enjoyed all year round.
How to Celebrate World Cider Day
Try a New Kind of Cider
World Cider Day is the perfect time to grab a friend or coworker and visit a Bar or Pub and try out a new label or flavor of hard Cider. Or, for those who have family members of a younger age, grab a gallon of Apple Cider from a grocery store or local Apple farm and enjoy drinking it with everyone.
Some hard Cider makers are getting super creative with the flavors created in the recipes. Unexpected ingredients appear together, including Blackberry and Lavender mixed with local Lemonade; Ginger mixed with Blood Orange and Lemon; or Apple and Starfruit. Other flavors might seem normal in food recipes but become unique when made into Cider. These can include Pecan Pie, Peanut Butter and Jelly, and even Horchata (the Latin American Nut Milk drink).
Some people might think that Apples are a little plain but, certainly with all of these types and varieties to offer, there’s no way that anyone could get bored. Whatever the options are locally, try out something unique and interesting in honor of World Cider Day.
Learn About Brands of Hard Cider
If you are one of those who want to celebrate World Cider Day in style you might want to improve your vocabulary and get familiar with some of the most popular brands of hard Cider that are available in the United States. Don’t forget it might even be fun to gather friends and hold a blind taste test to see which brands are the winners.
Here’s how the American brands of hard cider seem to hold up in popularity:
- Angry Orchard: Since its start in 2012, Angry Orchard has become the most popular and well-known Cider brand in the Country. Choose from classic Crisp Apple, Tropical with flavors of Pineapple, Rose with a floral flavor, Green Apple, Pear, Strawberry, Peach Mango, and Unfiltered.
- Woodchuck Cider: One of the first American companies to bring hard Cider back, Woodchuck has been around since 1991. Their offerings include Amber, Pear, Granny Smith, Blueberry, Mimosa, Sangria, and some bubbly versions like Pear and Rose.
- Visit an Apple Orchard: Located in Michigan, which is famous for its Apples, this Cider company prides itself on making Ciders even for people who don’t like Cider! In addition to the basic flavors, they have unique versions made with Cinnamon and Maple, fresh Cucumber, Chai Spices and Chipotle Raspberry. Farmhaus Cider offers seasonal offerings.
Visit an Apple Orchard
A great way to enjoy World Cider Day is to visit an Apple Orchard. While there, pick a bushel of Apples to take home and then stop by the Orchard store where they are sure to be offering a variety of freshly made Apple Cider options that will be delicious when enjoyed either hot or cold.
Did you know some Apple Orchards provide the public with tours to see exactly how they press the Cider from the Apples and turn it into a delicious beverage. Many Apple Orchards also have fun activities, including games and events for families. Be sure to check out what’s happening locally at Apple Orchards near you and join in on all of the fun.
Visit a Cider Brewing Facility
If you are interested in the way that hard Cider is made then today would be the perfect time to enjoy a visit to a local brewing facility for hard Ciders. Some Cider facilities offer public tours, and others even hold tasting events and taproom opportunities that are similar to those held in Wine country.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
