Too right! I was confused by references to "hard cider", isn't that all cider? Seems they add spices to apple juice and call it apple cider.

Cinnamon seems to be added to everything here. Funny thing about cinnamon is that it is entirely smell-based, you can't actually taste it. Try putting some on your tongue while holding your nose, it's like a flavourless powder.

Apple juice isn't the same though, it's not pressed whole apples.

As for cider, have you tried Wegmans or Wholefoods? They usually have a few brews. Quite a brews from New England area, as well as decent imports.

That might be the official term but that's not what supermarkets or even cider farms call it IMX. I hadn't even heard of anything being called "hard" or "soft" cider until 3 years ago - and I used to drink a lot of farm cider (probably explains a few things ), buying the regular "apple juice" for the family that they also produce alongside the cider. One advantage of living in the West Country! Come to think of it, "pressed apple juice" may have been on some labels.

Nearest Wegmans is 2574 miles away. Nearest Wholefoods 84 miles. We go to Tarzana every month or two which has one so maybe I'll make an excuse to visit. Mail order isn't quite the same though .

Maybe your recipe does but growing up I ate a lot of pie and it had apples and brown sugar, and little nutmeg.
No cinnamon cloves and definitely no cheese (which I had heard of but find apples and cheese together to taste foul)

It's the ploughmans combo and it's amazing, with a bit of sharp cheddar mixed into the crust.

I thought cheese and apple was more popular in the north of England than the south. Same as fruit cake and cheese.

Edited by me, PG.

No cinnamon or cheese in the pie but a good aged cheddar on the side is wonderful.

Then all you're eating is baby food in some pastry. That's no pie.

No my pies have actual pieces of apple not mush

In the style of every bloody TV programme featuring a chef/restaurant, my [insert dearly departed relative's name here]'s secret recipe for apple pie included cinnamon, cloves, and possibly nutmeg - but definitely not cheese. In this case, my nan - but still alive and going well. I can't stand apple pie though.

Do you not have a Fresh and Easy or Bev Mo near you? Both sell hard cider

Ooh, there is one a few miles away; went there once before. I didn't notice any cider but wasn't specifically looking for it at that time.

That's a new one on me. Nearest about 30 miles away but again could be combined with a trip to something else.

Thanks.

The variety seems to have ramped up recently, hubby mainly drinks cider so thats good. F&E sell Hornsby's, and Ace in 6 bottle packs, like you say these are ok, they also see Julian, which has a cherry cider variety which is really good.

Bev Mo is selling loads, they had at least 30 different types, with lots from brewerys from the UK, they are even selling Magners in 6 bottle packs now.

http://www.bevmo.com/Shop/ProductLis...294967144&No=0

Excellent, thanks. I'm not a fan of the fizzy ones so I'll have to try and dig out a natural one out of that lot - if there are any!

The problem is that it's cherry flavoring, not actually flavored with cherries!