Due to its weak competitiveness and high light requirement, the European crab apple tree exists mostly at the wet edge of forests, in farmland hedges or on marginal sites.
Continue ReadingTHE GRANDMA OF APPLES
Cider Culture
KIZKI
This is my niece Saoirse, a lovely half Basque half Irish girl. It happens that my sister’s husband is from County Armagh, the apple orchard of Ireland. She is at Sagardoetxea picking apples with the traditional tool called kizki.
Continue ReadingTXOTX!
The most famous word in the Basque cider culture, no doubt. Txotx is the name of the little piece of wood that is used for sealing the barrels. When somebody shouts it, begins kind a ritual dance to taste the new season ciders directly from the barrel.
Continue ReadingCIDER CULTURE
Cider is not only about a drink. It’s about the hard work behind each bottle, about the culture and heritage. I both love old fashioned and modern ciders. But always craft, please.
Continue ReadingCIDERZALE MEANS CIDERLOVER
Cider has been always in my life. Since I was a kid. In the Basque Country, going for dinner to a cider house with your friends is a must when you are a teenager. And still is a tradition at least once a year when you are over 30. It’s fun. Drinking cider with my mom in summer is what I like most, though. She says she is part of the Women Alliance Against Scurvy . I’ll tell you why, someday.
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