Boomers - Lean Pickings

Our 2023 pressing season is done – condensed over 4 weeks, it was a busy and hectic time! This season we were ably assisted by a more (if its not too rude to say!) senior pressing gang – or as our younger colleagues call us: Boomers -  friends between jobs and happy to spend time squashing apples in the glorious sunshine. 

In contrast to last year’s bumper harvest, 2023 once again saw us having to search for apples. Our Apple Appeal realised far less fruit this year – most people in our local area having suffered the same lack of apples.

However, there is an upside - those that did come were from far and wide and we had the pleasure of meeting many new people – so the network of folk wanting to save their apples from going to waste is growing and they get to try our fabulous award winning cider in exchange!

The pressed apple juice is already fermenting, the tanks turning a cloudy yellow / orange colour as the liquid churns and bubbles – we see it every year, but it never ceases to amaze as nature turns the sugars to alcohol – this first stage should be complete by end of November after which we will allow the cider to very slowly ‘cold ferment’ across the winter and spring.

Attention is now turning to preparations for the festive season – we offer a range of gift options on our shop, including featuring other local quality Sussex producers – gift packs, hampers and club subscriptions will be sure to delight any ‘foodies’ on your Christmas list!