News

Things often come in pairs.  Last week we had two customers seeking reassurance that we don’t use sulphites in our products– which we don’t.  One young lady from London was absolutely delighted as she always had an allergic reaction when she drunk alcohol but was fine with our St Cuby’s bottle fermented cider.  We think she was ready to party.  Another lady was a devotee of our Farmhouse Cider, but had developed an allergy and wanted re-assurance that she could still enjoy this product – which she could.  Cider makers don’t legally have to list their ingredients but we are gradually changing our labels to show that we don’t use preservatives in our ciders.  Simple pasteurisation captures the flavours and provides a two year shelf life.  Same with the apple juice where we list Vitamin C on the label, which we use as an anti-oxidant while we press the fresh apples to stop the pulp (and the juice) turning brown.

For the first time last year we did as many shows and events in Cornwall as we physically could.  It was a good way to meet customers (although they are always welcomed to the farm to see us in action) so this year, we will be going out and about again.  We’ve started with a couple of trade shows this month – and even though the sun shone, it was bitterly cold at the Royal Cornwall Showground at Wadebridge.  Our hot mulled apple juice and hot mulled cider, Wassail, were well received by visitors and other exhibitors alike.  You just have to be brave when a well known (large) cider producer tastes one of your products and says ‘Mmmm, we should be making this’!

It has been a very dry, cold winter in Cornwall but the fruit buds are already forming on the trees and it will soon be too late to prune.  Last year we had twenty volunteers on a course working their way through the orchards but it’s down to us this year.  Sometimes you can spend too much time testing cider and labelling apple juice and you need to get out to appreciate where it all comes from.  So a staff ‘day out’ needs planning.  Our oldest and most productive orchard, Keepscombe, has become the regular hunting ground of a Barn Owl.  It’s wonderful to see it working its way silently along the rows of apple trees.  What we would really like now is a pair!