Core Collaborations: Apple and Cider Collective

Pennsylvania, the fourth-largest apple producer in the U.S., faces significant market challenges due to an oversupply of apples. Developing new markets, particularly in cider and hard cider production, presents a promising opportunity. With more than 50 cideries statewide, demand for regional cider is growing year over year, yet several key aspects of cider production remain underexplored. These include the effects of crop load, environmental conditions, and phenolic content on cider quality, as well as the potential to use dessert apple cultivars in cider production through novel processing methods.

This project aims to form an interdisciplinary team of experts in horticulture, food science, sensory analysis, marketing, and economics to address these challenges. Key activities will include two brainstorming sessions to generate research ideas, identify funding opportunities, and develop grant applications. Additionally, a one-day symposium will be organized to connect academia and industry, fostering collaboration and exploring innovative approaches to apple utilization in the cider industry.

The project will also involve liaising with the PA Cider Guild and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, to explore funding for cider-related research. This initiative will help strengthen Pennsylvania's apple and cider industries by driving innovation, creating sustainable market opportunities, and positioning the state as an emerging cider region in the North East.

Upcoming Events

• 2025 PA Cider Symposium