Vol. 79 No. 4 (2025): Journal of the American Pomological Society

October 2025, Volume 29, Issue 4

About the photo:
'Chisel Jersey' cider apple. Photo Credit: Dr. Carol Miles, Washington State University

While cider apple production in the United States dates back to when settlers brought fruit trees with them , apple production for hard cider has rapidly grown in the last 10-15 years.  Consumers interest in hard ciders have driven growth in the volume and number of companies. Current production requires about 18 million bushels annually, with many producers depending upon imported concentrate. A blend of cider apples with sweet, bitter, and tannic characteristics are required to produce a premium cider and there are many opportunities for farms in the U.S. to diversify their operations to include cider apples.