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October 8, 2020When it comes to the world of cider, there are a few noteworthy sources of information. Amazing cider bloggers like yours truly, your local cidermaker and a handful of amazing publications. We recently were sent “The Big Book of Cidermaking” from Christopher and Kirsten Shockey and were immediately blown away. There have been numerous books sent to us to review but this is one of the most all-encompassing pieces of cider literature out there. The book is broken down into the basics of making cider and the fermentation process. To get a better understanding of what is inside and why we love it, we will dissect each section of the book.
Cidermaking Process
The cidermaking process section of the book focuses on our favorite thing about cider, the apple. While a humble fruit, there is so much more than meets the eye. From this point, they walk readers through the basics of ciders, definitions, styles, and equipment you will need. This is a must for those who are new to cidermaking or those experts who want to start from square one and perhaps derive a fresh idea.
Throughout the book, the photography is not only stunning and well placed but helps paint the picture of what they authors are showing you. In particular, I found the cidermaking process at a glance to be a great visual to show people who do not fully understand the cider world or industry. This lays a great base for the more intricate and detailed sections of the book to follow.
Fermentation Process
The second part of the book focused on fermentation and how to make all of the different types or styles of cider. This starts with the fermentation process & chemistry, bottling, conditioning, and so forth. The recipes section provides types of ciders that you can make and is possibly the most intriguing aspect of the whole book. They walk through wild ciders, sours, keeved ciders, etc. Although most cider makers have tried some of these techniques, the tip and tricks from this area can get the creative juices flowing (or fermenting, in this case). The final notes in the book are on tasting cider which is our favorite part. They provide tips on how to become a more professional cider taster and hunt down some of those nuances within the products you consume.
All in all, this book is not only visually stunning but all of the information inside is relevant and fun to read. Whether you a newbie to cider or a seasoned cidermaker, this book should be a staple for your shelf.
If you would like to get your own copy you can visit https://www.storey.com/books/the-big-book-of-cidermaking/
If you want to read reviews of other books we have reviewed check them out below: