The true Harrison

At the Chicago Cider Summit in February we shared a botanical print of a rare and recently rediscovered apple and asked folks…

Say it plain: A #cidertasting guide

“The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter — ’tis the difference between the lightning-bug and the lightning.” — Mark…

Truly a great apple

Mention the Northern Spy to an apple loving Yankee and their eyes glaze over the same way they might when recalling their…

Ten minutes with Steve Wood of Farnum Hill

In which he shares his thoughts on fine cider, cider apples, the goodness of cider folk, and his addiction to growing things

Know your hard cider

The number of licensed cidermakers operating in the US has doubled since 2013, but the supply of American apples suitable for classic cidermaking remains lean. How can you size up a hard cider before the first sip?

This mystery dryness

“I keep trying to find reasons not to like this apple and it continues to surprise me. This is an all-American apple discovered on U.S. soil, and a distinctive bittersharp to be…

like letting go of old regret

in which a poet tries some cider and her companion cribs her tasting notes

Together with the blossoms and leaves

As are necessary to distinguish the various sorts from each other

(once you do you can’t let it go)

So a cider has the astringency and bitterness of red wine and the acidity of white wine, with about…