440: Jane Peyton Keynote |Hereford AppleFest Banquet

440: Jane Peyton Keynote |Hereford AppleFest Banquet

Author: Ria Windcaller: Award-winning Cidermaker, Podcaster | Craft Beer Columnist January 1, 2025 Duration: 47:55

Jane Peyton, author of The Philosophy of Cider and founder of the School of Booze, brings her deep knowledge of cider and its cultural history to the forefront in this enlightening conversation.

Cider Chat 440 Jane Peyton at Hereford AppleFest Banquet 2024
Jane Peyton at Hereford AppleFest Banquet 2024

Key Points Covered

Cider's Cultural Significance

  • The apple as a symbol in global traditions and languages.
  •  
  • Historical mentions, from Norse mythology to Captain Cook's voyages.

Defining Cider

  • Cider is pressed, not brewed, differentiating it from beer.
  •  
  • Diverse expressions of cider, from tannic and dry to sweet and fizzy.

The Legacy of Susanna Forbes

  • A heartfelt tribute to Susanna Forbes' impact on the cider world.

Jane's Philosophy on Cider

  • Advocating for better representation of cider on menus.
  •  
  • Mainstream vs. artisanal cider perspectives.

Cider Chat Ep: 440 Jane Peyton's Philosophy of Cider

The School of Booze

  • Jane's initiative to educate on cider, beer, and more.
  •  
  • Her work as a writer and accredited pommelier.

Highlights from the Philosopher of Cider

  • Recommended Reads and Tastings:
    • The Philosophy of Cider and Jane's other publications.
    •  
    • Examples of cider diversity, including champagne-method ciders.
  •  
  • Memorable Quotes:
    • "Slow cider is sunlight in a glass, the liquid expression of the orchard's soul."
    •  
    • "Cider is not apple beer—it's pressed, not brewed."
  •  
  • Ciders and Perries Mentioned:
    • Little Pomona's offerings
    •  
    • Ross on Wye ciders

Contact for Jane Peyton

Mentions in this Cider 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: 100

Cider Chat
Podcast Episodes
480: Holiday Cider Gift Guide 2025 and Playing with Pommeau [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:36
00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview 00:32 French Pronunciation Fun 02:27 Holiday Gift Ideas for 2025 02:59 Cider Chat News and Updates 04:42 Listener Stories and Experiences 07:49 Upcoming UK Cider Tour 2026 12:47 Fe…
479: New York Cider Fest | Audio Snapshots [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:45
New York Cider Fest 2025 brought together makers and enthusiasts for an unforgettable day at City Winery Manhattan. In this special collection of on-the-floor recordings, Cider Chat® captures Audio Snap Shots with festiv…
478: Pommeau: What Happens When a French Classic Lands on U.S. Labels [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:18
What is Pommeau? Pommeau is a: fortified blend of fresh apple must (unfermented) and apple brandy (typically Calvados in Normandy or Lambig in Brittany). The unfermented apple juice and brandy are combined before ferment…
477: 2025 Ultimate Cider Pairing Guide for Thanksgiving [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:38
Learn how to pick the right Cider and Perry for every dish on the Thanksgiving table. This week we are not chasing brand names. We are building flavor intuition. Consider Thanksgiving not as one single taste on a plate;…
476: Be Medieval, Rack that Cider| Secondary Fermentation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:18
How to clarify, stabilize, and finish cider the right way The Purpose of Secondary Fermentation when Making Cider Once the apple juice has started fermented and it is now slowing down, it is time to rack over your cider…
473: Tiny Bubbles | How to Make a Pét Nat Cider [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:53
What makes a Pét Nat cider sparkle naturally and how is it connected to the rural method you might have heard about in the UK? In this episode, we take a practical look at: What Pét Nat cider is and how it relates to the…
471: Cider Tourism 101 | Newton Court, UK [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:50
Newton Court Cider began as a 30-acre farm selling apples to Bulmers. When the market changed, Paul Stephens turned those same orchards into a modern day cider business. Front view of Newton Court's restaurant and visito…