Real cider is produced naturally from apples and is neither carbonated nor pasteurised. Real perry is made from pears. Many well-known ciders sold in the UK are artificially produced using syrup, not apples. Real cider varies in alcohol from 3% to 8.5% ABV. All real cider is suitable for vegans and wheat free diets. Cider makers blend hundreds of apple varieties; the ingredients are secret. Production methods have been handed down through generations. Dry ciders come from Somerset; Devon offers sweeter ciders.
To make cider, apples are washed, checked for rot, pressed, allowed to ferment.
UK law states cider must contain 35% apple juice. In the US, 50% minimum. Cider is not beer; only commonality is both are fermented. To make alcoholic cider, yeast converts sugar into alcohol.
Cider adds fruity flavour to cooking sauces instead of wine, deglazes pans and makes traditional gravy for pork. Fish can be poached in cider. Craft cider grows as sales of sweet cider decline.