thousands of apples are picked from orchards in Hereford and Somerset and pears are sourced from Wiltshire and Herefordshire. They are then transported
back to Minety, where they are checked and cleaned, before being put in a hydraulic press, which extracts juice from the fruits using 24-tonnes of pressure. The juice is then put in large
containers and goes through its first fermentation period which can take up to seven weeks, before fermenting for a second phase which can last up to six months.During the second phase lacto and malic acids in the juice combine to give flavour to the juice. I was there to see the middle
of these phases, where the juice is transferred from one container to another using a pump, leaving a residue of starch and yeast behind. Dave,61, explained that this
process is vital because the residue can destroy the taste of the cider if it is left for the second phase of fermentation. He said: “If you left that in it
would just taste very bad – you wouldn’t be able to drink it. “The second of fermentation
is the most important and the juice must be monitored carefully to ensure the best results. “The softer lactic acid allows
the fruit flavours to come out where as the malic masks them. When these two acids are combining we need to keep checking the cider to make sure it does not go off.” Today 14,000 bottles are
produced by the company, most of which are bottled in Minety with the exception of Ravens Roost variety, which is bottled in the Forest of Dean. Although Mates Cider and
Perry is already enjoying the taste of success, Dave and Roger vow to continue to make new and interesting ciders. Roger, said: “We want to
make new varieties and be ahead of the game and try and make something different. Dave added: “We have to be
realistic, we are both in our 60s, we do not have many years left to build an empire. My ambition is to continue what we are doing. We also want to make a single variety cider.” To find out more and buy the
cider and perry visit http://
ciderandperry.org.uk/
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Cider With Rosie author Laurie Lee this year, Mates Cider Company is offering a case of cider to one lucky Cotswold Essence reader. All you have to do to be in with a chance is answer the question on the coupon and send it to: Mates Cider Competition/ Cotswold Essence, 6 Lansdown, Stroud,
Gloucestershire GL5 1BE to arrive no later than noon on Friday, March 21, 2014.
Q. How many bottles of Mates Cider are
produced by the company? A.....................................................................................
Name................................................................................ Address............................................................................ ........................................................................................... Daytime tel no...............................................................
Inspiring life in the Cotswolds
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