The first written evidence of cider in the United Kingdom comes from Norfolk, England, in AD 1204, as a record payment. Farms would continue to use cider as payment for workers until the late 1800s, when the British parliament stopped the practice.In 1588, Julien Le Paulmier, a Norman, publishes a treatise called “De Vino et pomaco”. It contributed to make cider better known and give it the place it deserves as a healthy drink, and praised its medicinal properties. The consumption of cider grew and grew but was then halted several times by permanent state of war.Colonists from Western Europe brought apples to America but Native Americans had already been making a cider from crab apples.
During colonial era, hard apple cider was by far the most popular alcoholic beverage in America far more than whiskey, wine or beer. Hard cider became the traditional drink of New England not long after the first settlers arrived.
Apple cider continued in its popularity into the 1800s due in part to the efforts of the legendary Johnny Appleseed who planted many apple trees in the Midwest. As a result, apple cider brewing spread into that area of the country.
In England around the 18th century about two thousands varieties of apples were grown. Many scientific methods had been developed to improve and speed up the production of cider.
Treatises began to appear in making coder. A Dutch technologist Hermann Boerhaave, found that the rate of acid production in the vinegar process was directly proportional to the amount of surface exposed to air.
Today apple cider vinegar fits in well with the move many people are making toward more healthful, simple lifestyles. It’s readily available, inexpensive, and extremely versatile.
Modern history of apple cider
