372: The Science Behind Spontaneous Fermentation

372: The Science Behind Spontaneous Fermentation

Author: Ria Windcaller: Award-winning Cidermaker, Podcaster | Craft Beer Columnist June 28, 2023 Duration: 59:33

Cider and Spontaneous Fermentation

The wild "ambient" yeast found on apples, in the air, on cider presses can all contribute to a spontaneous fermentation within the cider must, which is the juice that has been freshly pressed from a fruit such as apples or grapes and is fermenting. In this episode we hear from Hugues Guichard, who works at the Institut Français des Productions Cidricoles a research institute focusing on cider based in Normandy, France.

Hugues presented this lecture at CiderCon 2023, which is hosted by the American Cider Association.

Ep: 372 of Cider Chat - Hugues Guichard at CiderCon 2023 Hugues Guichard at CiderCon 2023

Allowing a cider to go through a full spontaneous fermentation successfully is a growing trend within the industry as consumer continue to seek "natural" ciders. Hugues provides a complete overview of the French cider industry and the science behind spontaneous ferments.

  • Subscribe to the Cider Chat YouTube Channel to be notified when the  audio of this lecture synced with the power point slide show goes live to the public.
  • Become a Patreon and view video now

In this lecture

  • Part I: French Cider Industry and IFPC
  • Part II: French Cider ProcessingCider Apples and Harvest
    • Possible contamination by spoiling microorganisms

  • Clarification 
  • Fermentation 
  • Maturation
  • Bottling
  • Conclusion

Yeast mentioned in this presentation

  • Hanseniaspora is a genus of yeasts, when there is no sulphites in the must
  • Mechnikowia pulcherrima (Mp)

    • On apple and in must (often high population)

    • no development in anaerobioses

  • Hanseniaspora valbyensys (Hv) - apiculate yeast

    • On apple and in must, growth in must

    • 1 to 2 weeks then decreases

    • Sensibility to SO2

  • Saccharomyces uvarum (Su): fermentative yeast

Bacterias and yeasts in ciders that can create off flavors

  • Acetic acid bacteria (Acetobacter). Often described at Volatile Acidity (VA) which lends a vinegary taste to the cider

  • Zymomonas mobilis (bacteria). off flavors  such as rotten banana, vegetal aromas. There may be a haze formation, high pressure in bottles, and excessive foaming

  • Secundilactobacillus collinoïdes - lactic acid spoilage

  • Brettanomyces anomala - Volatile phenol

Begin with cidermaking best practices  

As expected best practices for all fermentation including a spontaneous fermentation require

  • Clean Fruit
  • Hygiene in the cidery
  • Temperature control

Contact for Hugues Guichard

Mentions in this Chat


There’s a whole world in a glass of cider, and Cider Chat is your invitation to explore it. Hosted by award-winning cidermaker and writer Ria Windcaller, this podcast travels far beyond the bottle to meet the people who make the global cider culture so vibrant. Each conversation is a journey-you might find yourself in a heritage orchard learning the history of forgotten apple varieties, in a bustling taproom with an importer explaining regional traditions, or in a kitchen with a chef pairing cider with unexpected foods. The discussions get into the delightful nuances, too, whether that’s the semantics of what we even call this drink or how the concept of terroir translates from soil to sip. It’s not just about production; it’s about the community, the travel, and the stories that fermentation unlocks. This is for anyone curious about the craft, history, and sheer enjoyment of fermented apple juice in all its forms. So, pour a glass and settle in for a series that feels like a wide-ranging, informative, and genuinely good-humored chat with friends who happen to be obsessed with cider. You’ll come away with a deeper appreciation for every effervescent, tart, or sweet sip, hearing directly from the growers, makers, and enthusiasts who are shaping this drink’s exciting present and future.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 501

Cider Chat
Podcast Episodes
378: The Inner Realm of the Ice Cider Queen | Eden, VT [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:19
Nothing Sharp about the "Ice Cider Queen" Eleanor Léger is affectionately dubbed the Ice Cider Queen by many followers, most notably this podcast. She founded Eden Specialty Cider in 2007, the year of the first harvest o…
377: Fable Farm Fermentory's Co-Evolution of Humanity & Apples | VT [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:00
Fable Farm Fermentory's Co-Evolution of Humanity & Apples The Apple Calls Us In | Fable Farm, VT started 15 years ago... In this episode hear how brother's Jon and Christopher Piana found their way to Fable Farm and how…
376: Orchard & Cider Variety Research at WHNO | Vermont [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:26
Walden Heights Nursery & Orchard (WHNO) was created in 1997 This 22 acre farm with 8 acres of orchards on a hillside outside of Hardwick, Vermont in the town of Walden was founded by Todd Parlo and Lori Augustyniak. It i…
375: Cider's Low Carbon Footprint | Wildbranch Cider, Vermont [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:51
Cedar Hannan began selling his ciders branded as "Wildbranch" in 2020. He both forages apples and has a small orchard planted that he planted four years ago on his farm based in Craftsbury, Vermont. The ciders are both w…
374: Bonus Episode! CCLive | NY Apple Camp News! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:04
Bonus Cider Chat Live on NY Apple Camp July 28th - 30th at the Ashokan Center in the Hudson River Valley (on the west side of river) is the first ever NY Apple Camp! Elizabeth Ryan of Stone Ridge Orchard who is producing…
373: Orchard Tips for Cold Climates [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:17
Orchardist Ben Applegate on cold climate orchard care Ben is the Orchard Manager at Eden Specialty Cider based in northern Vermont and shares his insight on cold climate apple varieties and orchard tips. This chat took p…
371: Save Your Back! Mechanical Harvesting of Apples [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:52
Small, Medium and Large Scale options for Mechanical Harvesting of Apples Cornell University Associate Professor of Horticulture Gregory Peck Ph.D and Angry Orchard Head Cidermaker Joe Gaynor provide an in depth study of…
370: Innovative Ciders of Domaine Marois | France [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:57
Antoine Marois is Tantalizing the Taste Buds of Cider Fans On a sloping hill on the east side of the picturesque village of Cambremer sits Domaine Marois. The lead up to the home is formidable with a long drive that lead…
369: Baba Yaga & Holistic Orchards | NC [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:28
Discover Kordick Family Farm and Baba Yaga Hear from Dorsey and daughter Brittany, the mother and daughter team at Korkdick Family Farm with Baba Yaga as their guide. Dorsey is a long time apple fan and even attended Pet…
368: Who named this apple Northern Spy? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:30
Spy Novels Step Aside for an Apple of a Tale The Northern Spy is a delightful apple used both for baking and cidermaking! At one time it was a major export commodity due to its lack of bruising when packed in barrels. As…