Slaking a thirst for traditional cider
Cider is now big business. As sales of traditional cider continue to grow at an annual rate of about 10%, new brands are appearing regularly to meet the demand.
The latest is Scrumpy Jack's Old Hazy from Symonds Cider and English Wine Company (0885 490411). The cider is cask-conditioned with an appropriate cloudy appearance but a slight sparkle.
The alcohol by volume content of 5.5% makes it more appropriate for commercial use than the old-fashioned scrumpy on which it is loosely modelled. It will be sold at about £1.80 a pint.
The antecedent of Old Hazy, plain Scrumpy Jack, the strong, clear, premium-brand cider made by Symonds, is now available through restaurant specialist Griersons. Cases of 24 33cl bottles are listed at £19.23.
Dunkertons Cider Company (01544 388653) is making two ciders specially for restaurant use - a medium dry and medium sweet. Both are in 37.5cl bottles and are 5.5% alcohol by volume.
The ciders are described as "essentially sophisticated farmhouse ciders". Dunkertons defines the quality of its products by their depth of character and flavour, derived from cider apples such as the bitter sweet Knotted Kernel and the sharp Foxwhelp.
The company emphasises that no chemical spray touches its fruit and that no colourings or flavourings are used during production. Nor is its cider carbonated.
