The Philosophy of Cider by Jane Peyton
This week sees the publication of The Philosophy of Cider by Jane Peyton by The British Library.
Rethink Cider – that is what Jane, the UK’s first accredited Pommelier (cider sommelier), is asking of drinkers who consider cider to be low value rocket fuel.
Jane says, ‘Minimal intervention cider from freshly pressed juice (as opposed to highly processed mass-market sugary cider made from a minimum of apple juice concentrate) is sunlight in a glass, the liquid expression of the orchard’s soul. Of all alcoholic drinks, cider is the most misunderstood, so with this book, The Philosophy of Cider, I aim to change that and encourage people to rethink cider.’
A Gift From Nature
As Jane outlines in her book, minimal intervention fresh juice cider is a gift from nature. She extols its diversity from ultra dry, to super sweet ice cider (superb as a dessert cider); single variety or a blend; tannic and acidic wine-like cider to light and easy-drinking; cider drunk young to cider aged for months in oak barrels.
Buckingham Palace State Banquet With Cider!
She also celebrates its ability to pair with food from casual to fine dining. As proof she matches the real menu of a Buckingham Palace state banquet for the French President with cider instead of wine. Jane also reminds readers that English cider was the original purposely sparkled drink, decades before wine makers in the Champagne region did the same with still wine.
Protecting Biodiversity
Jane makes the argument that people who care about whole food and drink, slow food, local cultural traditions, and the environment, have many reasons to drink real cider and not just because it is delicious! By drinking real cider they:
- Support biodiversity and ecosystems in apple orchards.
- Save heritage apple varieties.
- Support the rural economy.
- Taste the terroir of where the apples were grown.
- Maintain the centuries old skills of artisan cider making.
- Support traditional cultural cider activities.
Captain Cook’s Cider Cure For Scurvy
The Philosophy of Cider also covers history and takes readers on an apple journey from its origin in central Asia to today into millions of bottles of cider around the world. The book is packed with numerous facts such as that Captain William Bligh, of the Mutiny on the Bounty infamy, planted Australia’s first apple tree (the mutiny happened later on the same voyage), and that mariners, including the crew on Captain Cook’s ships, consumed cider to prevent Scurvy (before citrus was recognised as an effective prophylactic).
Ciderland, ‘A Glorious Place To Be!’
Jane says, ‘Cider fascinates me so much I studied to become an accredited pommelier and by doing so entered a parallel universe known as Ciderland, a rural realm where nature rules, life is slow, and time is dictated by the growing season. Ciderland is a glorious place to be!’
Book Details
The Philosophy of Cider by Jane Peyton
Publisher: British Library Publishing
ISBN: 9 78-0712355056
RRP: £10
Available from book retailers.
Signed copies from: www.School-of-Booze.com/shop
About The Author
Jane Peyton is the UK’s first accredited pommelier (cider sommelier).
She was Britain’s first Beer Sommelier of the Year. She is a former Imbibe Magazine Drinks Educator of the Year. Jane is the instigator and driving force of the UK’s annual national beer day – Beer Day Britain (June 15th).
Jane is the founder of the School of Booze – a training, education, events company, and consultancy specializing in alcoholic drinks and their no & low alcohol equivalents.
Jane is the author of several non-fiction books and The Philosophy of Cider is her fourth title in the British Library’s Philosophies series. The others are: ‘The Philosophy of Gin’, ‘The Philosophy of Beer’, and ‘The Philosophy of Cocktails’. She writes magical realism novels under her pen-name, B.A. Summer.
Jane Peyton: [email protected]
