Cider Specific Apples

Dr. Peter Tozer's a research associate in Washington State University's School of Economic Sciences and he, along with two colleagues, recently were awarded a research grant to look into varieties of apples for the purpose of making hard cider, a rapidly growing industry that ultimately offers an opportunity to apple growers. Dr. Tozer: "Cider apple qualities and consumer preferences will be evaluated thanks to a $40,000 "Emerging Research Issues" grant received this month by Washington State University researchers. we are going to attempt to determine how cider makers value certain juice qualities such as tannin level. Tannin is a bitter-tasting organic substance present in some plant tissues. Cider apples have high levels of tannin compared to dessert apples, but it is uncertain if cider makers pay more for juice that is high in tannin."