cider and perry
Cider and Perry are fermented drinks made from apples and pears respectively. Historically these drinks have been widely produced and drunk where climate favors apple and pear trees; other factors also influence the use of these fruits to produce alcoholic drinks.
I identify four historical geographical loci for cider and perry: • Britain: The island of Great Britain. I have included the Channel Islands in this grouping, although it could legitimately be argued they belong to the second geographical locus. • Normandy/Brittany: The northwestern French territories. • Biscay: An area including Spanish (Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, Basque) and French (Nouvelle Aquitane) areas. • Central Europe: A broad region with Germany arguably dominant region, but extending to Switzerland, Austria, and Poland. This region lacks uniformity but is not readily broken into more discrete areas.
A book detailing the complex history of cider and perry in the pre-modern age is on my short list of next projects.
Updated August 11, 2023
Picture credit Wellcome Collection