Scottish Cider Maker Challenges English Tradition

A craft cider company based in Tayside, Scotland, is challenging the long-held association of cider production with England's West Country. Lost Orchards Cider, located at East Adamston Farm near Dundee, is focusing on using Scottish-grown and pressed apples, differentiating itself from competitors who, it claims, use imported concentrate.

The company's process involves washing, pressing, and fermenting fruit with champagne yeast, followed by storage in stainless steel. Lost Orchards collaborates with major Scottish fruit growers and is actively planting and replanting thousands of apple trees to revive traditional commercial orchard cultivation in Scotland.

Last year, the company produced over 180 tonnes of apples. Its Pure Apple Cider reportedly won a gold medal at the International Cider Awards before the brand's official launch. Angus Morrison, co-founder of Lost Orchards with Andrew Husband, expressed confidence in Scotland's potential for producing high-quality cider, drawing a parallel to Japan's success in the whisky industry.

"For too long, people have assumed great cider only comes from places like Somerset, but we believe Scotland, particularly with changing weather patterns, is a sleeping giant of cider production which is just awakening," Morrison stated. He emphasized the availability of quality fruit and expertise in Scotland, coupled with their proven success on the international stage.

Morrison also highlighted a consumer demand for independent, transparent products with genuine Scottish roots, as opposed to dominance by large global brands. The UK cider industry is a significant economic contributor, valued at nearly £2.7 billion annually, according to the National Association of Cider Makers. A study by the association found that six in ten consumers prefer cider from British producers.

"We want genuine traditional cider to become part of modern Scottish food and drink culture: something people are proud to drink, stock and serve," Morrison added.

Historically, cider production has been concentrated in England's West Country, an area known for its terrain suitable for apple cultivation. Apples themselves are believed to have reached Western Europe through trade routes. Lore from the West Country suggests that local farmers traditionally grew cider apples for personal consumption and as a form of payment.

The United Kingdom is the largest cider market globally, with a growing consumer preference for premium and craft varieties.