Cider
is made on the farm from apples grown
in their own cider orchard. The
orchard was re-planted in 1987 with
the following varieties of standard
sized trees: Chisel Jersey, Kingston
Black, Michelin, Brown's Apple, Yarlington
Mill, Dabinett, and Harry Masters Jersey.
These
varieties of apples were chosen because
they are trees grown traditionally in
Somerset and, when blended together,
give the authentic taste of Somerset
Cider as it has always been made.
The
trees have started cropping and will
continue to produce fruit for the next
50 years. 15 tonnes are collected in
a good year, some of which are used
to make cider at Elm Farm and the remains
are sold to commercial producers. The
cider-making press is thought to be
about 100 years old and was bought and
renovated to be used in the process
at Elm Farm. Until the Second World
War, cider was provided daily for the
sustenance of staff on the farm!
In
early November they run Cider Week during
which visitors can get involved in the
cider making process and learn the story
of the apple. Group sizes can be between
15 and 30 people with all visits during
the day as it gets dark early at this
time of year. See website for details. |