Mouth Cider in Ireland
Mouth cider is a form of alcoholic beverage made with fermented apples. It holds a long tradition in Ireland and is especially popular in the northern and western parts of the country. Its appearance varies significantly depending on the region, style, and even the preferences of the drinker. It can range from light and heavy bodied to avery dry and dry to a sparkling cider with a fine bubble.
The production of Ireland’s mouth cider goes back centuries, and there are some interesting stories about the methods used, such as solidifying apple juice, pressing apples for cider, and even using lees from old casks. If you want to know more about the history of mouth cider in Ireland, the Mouth Cider Society of Ireland is a great resource.
Mouth cider became popular among drinkers and cider producers alike in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. At that time, a variety of brands started popping up, such as Marble Cider, Dunnes Cider and the Watley Cider, and soon after came Cock’s Cider. The industry has been modernized since then, but there are still traditional producers who continue to use old methods.
For those looking to buy mouth cider in Ireland, there are a few options. Generally, dry ciders can be found at local grocery stores, but for more unique and artisanal ciders, you’ll likely have to either visit a specialty shop or go to the cider producer’s website and look for one online. Additionally, you can look for enthusiastic cider producers who may offer a greater selection.
Generally, each cider is quite different from the other and it can depend on the type of apples used, the fermentation method, and the aging time. When choosing a mouth cider, it is important to do some research on the brands before you buy. The Mouth Cider Society of Ireland can be again a helpful guide in such cases.
Brief History
The production of cider in Ireland dates back to medieval times. It was initially produced for the landed gentry. As time went on, the process became more common in rural areas and every family could produce their own cider to either drink or trade for goods.
In the 19th century, commercial cider production began in Ireland under brands like Marble Cider, Dunnes Cider and the Watley Cider. Subsequently, the industry expanded rapidly and by the early 20th century there were more than 400 registered cider producers in the country.
In recent years, the demand for Irish mouth cider has steadily grown and many pubs, restaurants and shops now carry Irish and international ciders. The cider industry has also seen a lot of innovation with new styles appearing every year.
Types of Cider
When buying mouth cider from Ireland, you may find a wide range of styles. These include light and heavy bodied body ciders, dry and very dry ciders, and sparkling or fizzy ciders.
Heavy bodied ciders are made with sweet apples and are usually rich and creamy. They have a pleasant fruity and alcoholic flavor and are the most popular type of mouth cider in Ireland. They also pair well with food due to their robust flavors.
Dry ciders, on the other hand, are made with tart apples and are usually light and crisp. They have a pleasant sharpness and are not as sweet as heavy bodied ciders and are respectively best served as aperitifs.
Sparkling ciders, which some will refer to as fizzy ciders, have a fine effervescence and can range from dry to sweet. These ciders also have a lot of carbonation and are usually consumed as refreshment drinks.
Popular Brands
When it comes to buying mouth cider from Ireland, there is no shortage of brands to choose from. Some of the oldest and most popular brands include Marble Cider, Dunnes Cider and the Watley Cider. Meanwhile, some of the newer, more innovative brands include O’Haras Irish Cider, Lawlor’s Irish Cider, and Trouble Brewing’s Irish Cider.
Each of these brands and ciders vary in terms of composition and characteristics. For instance, O’Haras Irish Cider is a dry cider with a light body and depth of flavor that is best enjoyed chilled. Meanwhile, Lawlor’s Irish Cider is a medium-bodied cider with a subtly sweet flavor that pairs great with desserts. Finally, Trouble Brewing’s Irish Cider is a dry cider with a delicate finish and notes of sweetness.
Flavor and Characteristics
In addition to learning more about the various brands of Ireland’s mouth ciders, it is also important to know about the specific characteristics that distinguish them from each other.
For example, there’s the body, which can range from light, heavy and bubbly. The finish can also range from dry to very sweet and the flavor can range from tart and sour to sweet and fruity. In terms of alcohol content, most mouth ciders range between 4-6%.
There is also the depth of flavor. Generally, lighter ciders tend to have a more subtle flavor, while heavier ciders tend to be fuller bodied and bolder in flavor. The acidic level contributes to the taste of the cider and can range from low to medium in strength.
Serving Suggestions
Sider mulut paling baik dihidangkan dalam keadaan sejuk dan boleh dinikmati sendiri atau digandingkan dengan makanan. Ia berpasangan dengan baik dengan protein yang lebih ringan seperti ikan dan ayam, dan juga dengan keju seperti cheddar dan brie. Ia juga merupakan iringan yang sangat baik untuk pencuci mulut seperti pai epal, crumble atau apa-apa jenis kek epal.
Sama ada anda menikmati cider mulut anda dengan makanan atau sendiri, adalah penting untuk diingat bahawa ia harus dihidangkan sejuk. Ini membantu meningkatkan rasa dan pengalaman keseluruhan. Pengkarbonan, yang terdapat dalam beberapa cider, juga akan dihargai selepas cider telah disejukkan.
Pertimbangan Tambahan
Apabila membeli cider mulut di Ireland, terdapat beberapa perkara lain yang perlu dipertimbangkan. Pertama, adalah penting untuk mengetahui tentang kandungan alkohol cider. Walaupun kebanyakan cider adalah antara empat dan enam peratus, terdapat beberapa yang mungkin mempunyai kandungan alkohol yang lebih tinggi. Adalah disyorkan agar anda melakukan penyelidikan anda untuk memastikan anda mendapat cider yang sesuai untuk citarasa anda.
Kedua, terdapat beberapa jenis cider yang tidak sesuai untuk dimakan di Ireland. Ini termasuk cuka sider dan sider manis. Walaupun ini popular di bahagian lain dunia, mereka umumnya tidak begitu popular di Ireland dan harus dielakkan.
Ketersediaan
Cider mulut agak mudah didapati di Ireland, terutamanya di kawasan yang lebih luar bandar. Ia biasanya boleh didapati di kedai runcit, kedai minuman keras dan kedai khusus. Jika anda sedang mencari sesuatu yang lebih unik atau artisanal, anda mungkin perlu melawati tapak web pengeluar sider atau mencari pembuat sider yang bersemangat yang boleh menawarkan pilihan yang lebih banyak.
Kedai dalam talian dan laman web seperti Persatuan Cider Mulut Ireland juga menawarkan cider khusus dari wilayah yang berbeza di Ireland, serta cider antarabangsa. Cara terbaik untuk mengetahui perkara yang tersedia ialah menyemak berbilang sumber dan membandingkan harga. Anda juga mungkin menemui beberapa tawaran yang anda tidak boleh dapatkan di kedai.
