We've had a couple of sunny weeks and the trees have moved on a pace. Some real spring warmth has brought on bud burst and blossom, so that it is looking like things are catching up after our particulalry cold winter. (Good news for the Blossomtime celebrations 2nd and 3rd May - see http://www.bigapple.org.uk/blossomtime/2010.html)

For some reason this year the blossom seems to have a lot more aroma.  It is difficult to know if there is actually more smell in the air or a change in my perception, although Hannah has also mentioned that some of the garden flowers are smelling stonger this year.   The mirrabelle plums are particulrly strong with an almost caramelised plum aroma.  I can't wait to see if the pear and apple blossom smell stronger when they're fully out.

Possibly related, there also seem to be a lot of bees about - not only the overall quantity, but the range of species - particularly the big "Bumble" bees.

Whatever the reason, it all feels very positive.  A sign of nature working its magic again as the growing season starts and a reminder that we're only just over 4 months away from the start of harvest!

Is it me, or have things really started to move in the orchard?

Signs of spring are definitely here.  Snow drops are still in flower, now joined by the pussy willow, with the soft grey fluffy catkins emerging, as seen on this willow next to the "Big Hug" in Dorothy's Orchard. (see right image)

Cream and yellow primrose flowers poke through the winter debris from bracken cut back along our hedgerow. (see left image)

Birds are busy nest building, taking twigs from the prunings and the undergrowth, and wool from the barbed wire fence where next doors sheep have inadvertently rubbed.

And we've seen a number of very small little bunnies darting across the orchard.

Sap is definitely rising...

Hannah & I recently moved house (we're right on the orchard now - my morning commute is now down to 60 seconds) & we had a big housewarming party yesterday.  I made a lovely cider punch that went down really well with all the revellers, and lots of our guests were asking for the recipe, so I thought I'd share it on the website too!

There was nothing scientific about this, and the proportions are pretty much guesswork, but it turned out well - this is what I used:

(This quantity serves about 24 x 250ml glasses)

4 x 75cl bottles Marcle Ridge (dry still cider)
3 x 75cl bottles Russet & Bramley apple juice
Juice and pulp of an orange
Sugar (to taste - I used 4 ish table spoons)
6 cinnamon sticks broken into pieces.
Cloves (I used ground cloves 1tsp, but you could use whole cloves (probably need 8 - 12)
Star Anise or All Spice (I used All Spice - about 1tsp)
25cl Orange Liqueur

This was all put into a large pan and heated gently on the hob to warm through - If you wanted a mulled cider, serve it once warmed through, but don't let it boil.

I chilled ours over night and decanted into jugs the following morning, and served to guests on arrival.

For a special twist, pour a half glass of the punch, and top up with Ribston Lawn Sparkling Perry - truly delicious - like a spicy, cidery, bucks fizz!

Let me know what you think, or if you would like to share any good recipes for cider punch or mulled cider.

Cheers!

Simon.

This year we took a big step in production.  The decision to take our production over the magic 7000 litre duty threshold was fairly easy – we were selling more than we were producing.  However, you need to make a fairly big jump to retain profitability, so we aimed to make 25,000 litres.

What I wasn’t expecting was the tonnage of perry pears that were available.  We are really lucky to have had the full production from Ribston Lawn in Much Marcle this year. Adrian Hope has a fine perry orchard, and this year the Blakeney Red were incredibly prolific.  So much so that I had to buy an extra 10,000 litres of tank space to fit it all in!

What this means is we will release at least two perry styles (one still and one Champagne Method) next year, as well as a the usual cider blends (Putley Gold and Marcle Ridge) as well as a couple of specials of which more will be revealed as they take shape!

We have decided to start blogging on our website.  Please check back for the latest musings from Once Upon A Tree and Dragon Orchard