When the Romans arrived in England in 55 BC, they were reported to have found the local Kentish villagers drinking a delicious cider-like beverage made from apples. According to ancient records, the Romans and their leader embraced the pleasant pursuit with enthusiasm. It is unknown how long the English locals had been making this apple drink prior to the arrival of the Romans. By the beginning of the ninth century, cider drinking was well established in Europe and a reference made by Charlemagne clearly confirms its popularity. After the Norman Conquest of 1066, cider consumption became widespread in England and orchards were established specifically to produce cider. Cider also had an important economical factor during medieval times.
Cider making was an important industry. Monasteries sold vast quantities of their strong, spiced cider to the public. Farm laborers received a cider allowance as part of their wages, and the quantity increased during haymaking. English cider making probably peaked around the mid seventeenth century, when almost every farm had its own cider orchard and press. The industry later went into decline, due to major agricultural changes. Cider regained its popularity during the twentieth century, but demand was largely for the mass-produced variety. Only in recent years has traditional cider making finally triumphed.
In United States of America, English settlers introduced cider by bringing with them seeds for cultivating cider apples. During the colonial period, grains did not thrive well and were costly to import. On the other hand, apple orchards were plentiful, making apples cheap and easily obtainable. As a result, hard cider quickly became one of America's most popular beverages. Consumption of cider increased steadily during the eighteenth century, due in part to the efforts of the legendary Johnny Appleseed, who planted many apple trees in the Midwest. Cider lost in popularity due to a series of events. Germans migrants set up large breweries producing great quantities of beer. Which made beer cost competitive and ready available, while Cider was primarly made in limited by small farmers. Religion also play a part in the cider lost of popularity, where many church-going farmers gave up cider production due to religious reasons. Then the Prohibition became the law and pretty much destroyed the market for apple cider in USA.
In very recent years, the growing popularity of micro cider breweries, the trend has turned. Traditional cider making is experiencing a major resurgence in both America, Europe and Australia. In addition to the traditional cider, companies are innovating and introducing fruit flavoured infused cider such as Kiss.
