New blackcurrant ‘burst’ from Long Meadow Cider
Northern Ireland’s multi-award-winning producer of ciders, juices and cider vinegar, Long Meadow Cider, a Food NI member, has launched a new variety, Berry Blast, a flavoured cider.
The new flavour is blended with fresh blackcurrants and is the outcome of extensive market research by the family-owned and run cidery which located at Loughgall, county Armagh, at the heart of Northern Ireland’s orchard county.
Catherine McKeever, who runs the business with husband Pat and other family members, says: “We trialled it and carried out tastings at various shows and events to get customer feedback.
“We were overwhelmed by the response. While we realise that there are other berry ciders available on the market, our new product is a pure craft cider with a hint of blackcurrant without any added sugar or water.
“We are very excited about our new launch which has already proven to be very popular with lovers of good cider,” she adds.
Long Meadow has won recognition in the UK Great Taste Awards and other competitions for the quality of its ciders pressed from apples grown in its own extensive orchards.
The McKeevers founded the craft business in 2012 as a farm diversification project.
The family has been growing apples for more than 50 years on the Armagh farm and had been encouraged to branch out by the feedback from cider enthusiasts across Northern Ireland.
The McKeever family grows and harvests apples from a total of 120 acres, 30 of which are on the home farm. It uses local bramley and sweet apples.
