News 2023 07 05
Well as the title say bit of knowledge doesn't hurt, it my be bit painful to get it in the brain but what a satisfaction! When the long day is done and I feel that I've still a bit of energy, I like to read. At the moment my interest is being captured by "Le Cidre, Bibliographie exhaustive" by Jecques Jubert (info). I highly recommend this book to anyone into cider, especially to French ones and well speaking at least some French, I don't think there is currently translation in to English. I was recently going through the 19th century which for cider in France was an amazing period. Would you believe that in 1895 the production of cider in France reached the level of production of wine, 26 millions of hectoliters? In this time several parasites hit French vineyards decreasing the vine production considerably and cider took successfully it's place. In 1890 August Truelle invented "pomivalorimètre" (specific gravity meter) which allowed for measurements of sugars. The aim to produce cider closer to vines, therefore with higher alcohol which means from apple varieties high on sugars, had also some negative effects on variety selection. Logically varieties high on sugar content were heavily favoured and especially acid varieties were eradicating which led to imbalance considering the flavour. It also nicely surprised me that the first "congress of cider producers" in France was held already on 1843. All the info shared above is just short summary from the book "Le Cidre, Bibliographie exhaustive" by Jecques Jubert.
Now lets be bit more practical. There is another call for volunteers for trip to Normandie during this summer for people who would like to join and help out to make it happen. People who would like to leave from Czech Republic the leaving date will be around Thursday 27th of July and return around 5th of August or so. We will be going the direction of Frankfurt, Köln, Achen, through Belgium, north of France to Normandie, we can pick up people on the way. As before, we offer transport there and back (for the ones who would like to) and food and board. In exchange we ask for help, four days par week would be lovely. The aim of this trip will be mostly construction and some cutting in the orchards preparing them already a bit for the harvest season. We should build decent shower and toilet, robust shelving system from pallets for cider atelier and hopefully repair entrance farm doors (4x2.5 m) to the atelier, plus if possible repair also wooden frame support of roof and doors where the traditional press is located (and my cider archives). That would be the basic aim, maybe installing also lights but lets see how far we get. If you are considering to come please let me know by email either to algoldor (you know the sign) foodhackingbase.org or to info (you know the sign) cidreriejara.com. It would be lovely and helpful to do it together.
Enjoy your summer and check out from time to time our events 2023 section so you know where to meet us!
