Scrumpy (the history of West Country cider)

Scrumpy is the name given to rustic cider from the West Country, the name originating from ‘scrumped’ (stolen) apples. Windfall apples used to have more bruising and natural yeasts, which gave the strong flavour.

Years ago, farm workers were paid in cider (some receiving up to four pints a day!) And Captain Cook carried cider on his ships, to treat his crew for scurvy.

Scrumpy tends to be more cloudy and unfiltered than traditional cider (though this means it should not be consumed by anyone with weak immunity). It also has a high alcohol content, with some homemade versions particularly high, so most people just stick to good commercial brands like Dunkerton’s  (an organic vegan cider from Herefordshire and Gloucestershire).

Always check your cider has a vegan logo, as some brands are filtered with bone char or fish bladder. Also if buying in cans, pop the ring-pull back over the hole before recycling, to stop wildlife getting trapped.

Never buy cider or beer wrapped in those plastic can protectors (they should be banned as they kill and harm wildlife). If you see any littered, rip up the holes and securely bin.

Donate Waste Apples (to make more cider!)

Why is scrumpy so popular in the West Country? Simply because it’s full of apple and pear orchards! The Orchard Project and Wasted Apple lists places where you can donate waste apples (leave some for the wildlife!) which are often turned into cider.

Apples are England’s most wasted fruit, with 800,000 (which could make 100,000 pints of cider) thrown away each day.