Finnish Ciders

[SimonBao]

Are hard (alcoholic) ciders something that Finns drink and serve to one another at gatherings? I've read only mentions of beer, vodka, Mausteviinat, Koshenkorva, and other unfamiliar liquors. I've read that Finnish ciders are sweeter than other ciders, but authors writing that never said which ciders they were compared to. Does anyone know if North American ciders might substitute (e.g., Clos Saint-Denis Fine Pomme de Glace Ice Cider, Eden Vermont Ice Cide, Hornsby's)? We also have imported ciders that might be more suitable (e.g., Isategi, Kerisac, Reisetbauer).

[Upphew]

Are hard (alcoholic) ciders something that Finns drink and serve to one another at gatherings?

I'd guess so. We're second in consumption/capita after irish according to http://www.iltalehti.fi/ruoka/2011010312892725_ru.shtml

I've read only mentions of beer, vodka, Mausteviinat, Koshenkorva, and other unfamiliar liquors. I've read that Finnish ciders are sweeter than other ciders, but authors writing that never said which ciders they were compared to. Does anyone know if North American ciders might substitute (e.g., Clos Saint-Denis Fine Pomme de Glace Ice Cider, Eden Vermont Ice Cide, Hornsby's)? We also have imported ciders that might be more suitable (e.g., Isategi, Kerisac, Reisetbauer).

There are sweeter ciders and there are dry ones, as I prefer the latter ones, I can't vouch how popular the first ones are.

[Jukka Aho]

Are hard (alcoholic) ciders something that Finns drink and serve to one another at gatherings?

During the last 15 years or so, cider has become hugely popular among younger generations in Finland – especially girls and women – as an alternative to beer. This is probably because it is less of an “acquired taste” than beer and easier for people to get into. Marketers have exploited this fact by trying to make their cider products look appealing especially to the above-mentioned demographics in their youthful ad campaigns.

Beer (lager) and cider are the most common, “standard” bar/party/socializing drinks in Finland. They’re typically sold in 0.33L or 0.5L bottles/cans. The cans/bottles are often made available in 6-packs, 12-packs and 24-can cardboard “suitcases” or 24-bottle crates in retail.

Beer and cider, as well as the fermented versions of long drinks, are generally available in supermarkets, gas stations, corner-store type kiosks etc. However, this is not the case for other, stronger alcoholic beverages (including wines) which can only be bought in the state monopoly Alko stores. (As one might guess, there are political reasons – desire to control consumption, availability and tax revenue – behind this arrangement.)

A couple of cider ads:

• Upcider – Get Up
• Olvi-kevysiiderit – Se on totta
• Golden Cap
• Upcider – Astetta enemmän nostetta
• Upcider – Frozen (Ananas & Karpalo)

(Some of those are oddly non-Finnish in their setting...)

I've read only mentions of beer, vodka, Mausteviinat, Koshenkorva, and other unfamiliar liquors.

Koskenkorva, actually. It’s the most traditional and most well-known vodka brand in Finland but the general image of the brand is maybe a bit “folksy” and “unsophisticated” as well. (Finlandia Vodka carries more prestige in that regard.)

I've read that Finnish ciders are sweeter than other ciders

As mentioned above, many of the so-called ciders are marketed to young adults and especially girls/women. Some of those products come in rather untraditional flavors (strawberry cider, pineapple cider etc.) and may have quite a sweet taste designed to appeal to those groups. But there are traditional “dry” apple ciders, too.

[Mook]

If you look at the incredients, most Finnish "ciders" seem to be a mix of ethanol and apple juice, i.e. not real cider

[Bubba Elvis XIV]

Finnish ciders remind me of apple Tango.

[Jukka Aho]

If you look at the incredients, most Finnish "ciders" seem to be a mix of ethanol and apple juice, i.e. not real cider

They can’t be “a mix” if sold in normal stores. All alcoholic beverages sold in normal retail need to a) have equal or less than 4.7 vol. % of alcohol content and b) be produced using fermentation. (Alkoholilaki 4 luku 14 §)

Asetus alkoholijuomista ja väkiviinasta 22.12.1994/1344 defines what can be called “cider” (siideri) in Finland.

Not going to translate that all but the main points are:

• Siideri is defined as being a type of fruit wine based on apples, apple juice, or concentrate.
• Pears may be used as well but then it needs to be called päärynäsiideri (“pear cider”) or perry.
• The alcohol content may be 8.5 vol. % at max (4.7 vol. % in normal non-Alko retail)
• Since it’s a type of fruit wine, it is subject to other limitations defined for fruit wines in general. One of the limitations given for fruit wines is that below 14 vol. %, all of their ethanol needs to be produced by fermentation. (Well, fermentation is a requirement for retail in normal stores anyway. This 14 vol. % limit – since siideri already has an 8.5 vol. % limit – also means a simple mix of ethanol and something else couldn’t be called siideri at all, even if sold only in Alko and restaurants.)
• Flavorings may be added to the apple wine or pear wine base. A pineapple-flavored (!) siideri, for instance, may be called maustettu ananaksen makuinen siideri, (“a flavored cider, tasting like pineapple”) if based on apples/apple juice/concentrate.
• Sugar may be added for sweetening the fruit wine (/cider) or for contributing to the fermentation process.

[Mook]

You can ferment potatoes then add some apple wine....

Seriously, just compare the ingredients of Finnish or Swedish cider and something British or Irish.

[Karhunkoski]

Seriously, just compare the ingredients of Finnish or Swedish cider and something British or Irish.

You and Jukka are both correct in your own ways. But there's no point producing a pearl for a pig.

[Jukka Aho]

You can ferment potatoes then add some apple wine....

Maybe so, but then you can’t legally sell it as siideri in Finland... ;)

Seriously, just compare the ingredients of Finnish or Swedish cider and something British or Irish.

No-one has tried to deny the traditional “real cider”, made from apples by fermentation with no additives whatsover, wouldn’t be better than the stuff people usually buy here...

[Karhunkoski]

No-one has tried to deny the traditional “real cider”, made from apples by fermentation with no additives whatsover, wouldn’t be better than the stuff people usually buy here...

Exactly. There are better versions of many of the products sold in Finland, it's just that it doesn't make economical sense to produce them on a commercial basis, when low expectations can be happily satisfied with inferior products. There's nothing wrong with that, unless you're the person looking for something a bit better.

[Mook]

OK, so siideri isn't cider. They should find a better translation - flavoured apple wine, maybe

[Jukka Aho]

OK, so siideri isn't cider.

The definitions for what legally passes as “cider” may vary even between countries which actually use that word.

A better way to put it would be: all cider is (generally speaking) siideri, but not all siideri is cider in the UK sense.

They should find a better translation - flavoured apple wine, maybe

Maybe. Then again, not all siideri is “flavored”, and when it is, the fact apparently needs to be stated on the packaging.

[Penns_Mikko]

What type of apples is Finnish cider made from? I have a small orchard and will be adding more apple trees. I enjoy the sec siideri with pizza (got used to it in Oulu). Kiitos - Mikko

[Upphew]

What type of apples is Finnish cider made from? I have a small orchard and will be adding more apple trees. I enjoy the sec siideri with pizza (got used to it in Oulu). Kiitos - Mikko

I'd guess that even the breweries don't know as they buy juice.

[syncrouser]

I'd recommend something with both sweetness and acidity - the more of both the better. I made some cider last year with has only just reached maturity now, and was ok to drink, if a little strong. This year I'm planning to use the apples from a tree outside where I work, which should make some better stuff.

Do you use a cider press?