Scrumpy is a type of cider originating in the West of England, particularly the West Country. Today scrumpy distinguishes locally made ciders produced in smaller quantities and using traditional methods, from mass-produced branded ciders.
The Oxford English Dictionary, which finds the term first used in 1904, derives it from the noun scrump, meaning "something withered or dried up", not specifically apples.
Scrumpy is made primarily in England, with cideries in the United States being the second most likely to brew it.
Scrumpy refers to rustic, unfiltered apple cider that originated in Western and Southern England. Traditionally, scrumpy-makers add no extra juice or sweetener, don’t pasteurize it, and bottle without carbonation, unlike store-bought cider.
What is the difference between scrumpy and cider?
- Scrumpy is locally made in small quantities using traditional methods.
- Unlike store-bought cider, scrumpy cider is rustic, unfiltered apple cider.
- Made from ripe, fallen apples without pasteurization or added juice.
Scrumpy has a higher alcohol content and uses more sugar than most ciders, and it also tastes sweeter and fruitier. It can taste more "rough" than commercial cider, but this adds to its charm.
Scrumpy tastes light and bright, with plenty of lemon zest. The Gurneys Scrumpy is very dry, yet heavily fruity. It is typically rough but refined in its own way.
To make scrumpy, the process involves the following steps:
- Blend together equal amounts of sweet and dry cider until the mixture becomes thick and sticky.
- Add whisky, rum, or other spirits to the mixture.
- Let it sit for several days to allow the flavors to meld.
Drinking scrumpy cider is not just about the taste, it also has antioxidant properties that can delay signs of aging.