Product Description

The West Country is justly famous for its wide variety of delicious ciders. Over the last thirty years there has been a quiet revolution in the area with a steady growth in cider producers, from small, local companies to well-established outfits pumping out millions of gallons a year. In this book, James Crowden charts the development of cider making in the West Country, from the sixteenth century monks to the diverse industry of today. Crowden takes us on a tour around the beautiful and fragrant West Country orchards, outlining the differing manufacturing methods, and investigates the differences between a farm-house cider and an industrially manufactured one.He shows how the best cider makers translate their passion into the process and treat each different batch of cider like winemakers would a vintage. He also takes a look at the rise of perry making and profiles the companies dedicated to getting the best out of the West Country pears. "Ciderland" includes comprehensive summaries and descriptions of every cider and cider producer in the West Country and covers topics such as cider folk traditions and remedies, placing cider making firmly within the local culture.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #22716 in Books
• Published on: 2008-09-19
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

About the Author
James Crowden was born in Plymouth in 1954. In 1972, he joined the army and spent many years in the Far East. After settling back in Britain, he worked as a shepherd, sheep shearer, cider maker and forester. He now lives in Somerset and is a full-time writer.

Customer Reviews

Champagne? I'd rather have Perry.
There are many surprising things in this substantial and well researched book. James Crowden has visited cider and perry makers from Cornwall to Herefordshire and it is clear that there is a resurgence of craftsmen and women putting their skills to good effect to make sophisticated drinks with great variety. Running alongside the production is the desire to retain old orchards and their sometimes rare fruit and to plant for the future.
In these uneasy times, the prospect of orchards in blossom and a glass or two of artisan cider is very appealing indeed.

ciderland
Lovely pics, good info. Was recommended by a cider-making friend. Does it discuss e.g. whether industry could expand to distilled products?

Ciderland
This book is brilliant. Its well written with excellent pictures and descriptions of the cider and perry making process as well as interviews with cider and perry makers on how they operate their businesses.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in cider making.