The Best Apples for Making Cider

Kent is home to some fabulous cider producers, many made from local apples.  Here’s a low down on the best apples for making cider.

Background to cider making

Kent being the garden of England is now gaining quite a reputation for some incredible hand crafted, artisan Kentish ciders including Brogdale’s own Woolly Pig!

Differing from traditional scrumpy, Kentish cider is usually predominately made from cooking and dessert varieties.  So you can have the best of both worlds – fruit trees for the family, with enough to have a dabble in making your own cider!

Traditionally made from windfalls, friends and family would gather to press and create their own unique blend, which would change from season to season depending on what had been gifted from whom!

Many Kentish Ciders feature a blend of heritage, varieties.  Woolly pig features no less than 30 varieties from the orchards of Brogdale.

Grown your own trees for cider apples

If you have room to grow a small number of trees, try Bramley, Discovery, Grenadier, Howgate Wonder and a Russet, all reliable croppers that will produce a delicious blend.

Other varieties to consider are Braeburn, Cox, Golden Delicious, Golden Noble, Greensleeves, Grenadier, James Grieve, Katy, Spartan and Worcester Pearmain.   All of which will press beautifully for juice so the kids do not miss out.  That is of course, if you can resist eating all of the apples as they are ready!

For more information

Check out our website for current apple tree availability.

If you fancy learning how to make your own cider, Brogdale Collections here at Brogdale is holding Cider Making Workshops in October.  More details here.

If you can’t wait that long, then buy some delicious Woolly Pig Cider from Tiddly Pomme!  It makes its wonderful Woolly Pig Cider from Brogdale apples.  More information here.