Spotlight on Find & Foster Ciders

Nestled in the lush landscapes of Devon, UK, Find & Foster is more than just a cider company. It’s a passion-driven project helmed by Polly and Matt, a couple committed to saving the region’s ancient orchards and turning their rare apple varieties into fine ciders. During a recent visit to their orchards, I had the pleasure of helping them harvest apples, getting a firsthand look at their meticulous process. This visit revealed much more than just the mechanics of cider-making—it was an insight into the couple’s philosophy, their dedication to nature, and their mission to breathe life into forgotten landscapes.

Find & Foster has carved a unique niche in the cider industry, with a range of artisan ciders that reflect their care for the land and the biodiversity that it nurtures. Their ciders are not just beverages; they are stories in a bottle, celebrating traditional cider-making methods and the rare apple varieties that thrive in Devon’s old & forgotten orchards. From their crisp Methode Traditionelle to the more complex Keeved Cider, Polly and Matt’s creations are a true homage to natural cider-making, where every bottle is crafted with the utmost respect for both apples and land.

The Beginnings: Polly and Matt’s Journey

Find & Foster’s journey began with Polly and Matt’s realisation that many of the ancient apple orchards in Devon were being lost to time. Once an essential part of local farming, these orchards had long been neglected, and their rare apple varieties were at risk of disappearing forever. For Polly and Matt, preserving these orchards wasn’t just about making cider; it was about saving a critical piece of natural and cultural heritage. The couple dedicated themselves to finding and nurturing these forgotten orchards, ensuring that the ancient apple trees were carefully pruned and maintained, and that their unique fruit would once again be harvested.

During our visit, it was clear that this passion for orchard preservation goes beyond just Polly and Matt’s personal interest. It’s woven into every aspect of their work. The couple regularly work with local landowners, offering to revive neglected orchards in exchange for the right to harvest the apples. The apples they collect are handpicked and untreated with chemicals, reflecting their commitment to sustainable and natural farming methods. This deep respect for nature is evident in the final product, with each cider capturing the distinct characteristics of the apples and the land they come from

A Day in the Orchards: The Harvest Experience

The day we me and Russell spent helping Polly and Matt harvest apples was an immersive experience that felt worlds apart from the industrialised food production we’re used to. There’s something magical about walking through rows of ancient apple trees, their gnarled branches heavy with fruit. Some of these trees are hundreds of years old, and many produce apple varieties that are rare and highly prized in cider-making. Each variety brings its own balance of acidity, sweetness, and tannins, creating a complex and unique profile for each cider.

Polly and Matt are hands-on throughout the entire process. They work with nature, picking the apples only when they’ve reached perfect ripeness. The care that goes into selecting and harvesting the apples is extraordinary. No chemicals are used in the process, and no rotten apples make it into the mix. Every apple is handpicked and sorted by the couple themselves, ensuring that only the best fruit goes into their ciders. Witnessing this firsthand made it clear just how much time and effort goes into each bottle.

Traditional Cider-Making Techniques: A Focus on Quality

One of the things that sets Find & Foster apart from other cider producers is their commitment to traditional cider-making techniques. Polly and Matt use time-honoured methods that have been passed down through generations, but they combine this with modern expertise to ensure the highest quality.

Their range of ciders includes several different production methods, each resulting in a unique style. Here’s a closer look at their ciders and how they’re made:

1. Methode Traditionelle

Find & Foster’s Methode Traditionelle cider is made using the same techniques that produce Champagne, resulting in a crisp, dry, and sparkling cider that is ideal for celebrations or special occasions. The process begins with handpicked apples that are chosen for their fresh acidity and aromatic qualities. After a primary fermentation, they add champagne yeast and a small amount of sugar to the cider at the time of bottling. This leads to a secondary fermentation in the bottle, where fine bubbles form naturally.

What makes this cider truly special is the attention to detail that follows. The bottles are “riddled,” which means they’re turned slightly each day to encourage the sediment to settle in the neck of the bottle. This labour-intensive process ensures that when the cider is disgorged by hand, it’s clear and sparkling. The final result is a beautifully balanced cider that pairs wonderfully with seafood, charcuterie, or simply enjoyed as an aperitif.

2. Keeved Cider

Keeving is an ancient cider-making technique that few producers still use today, but Polly and Matt are keeping this tradition alive. Keeved Cider is an intensely aromatic, slightly sweet cider that captures the essence of the apples it’s made from. Unlike Methode Traditionelle, keeving involves no added yeast, sugar, or sulfites. Instead, the apples are left to ferment naturally with the wild yeasts present on their skins.

After milling, the apple pulp is left to macerate, allowing the natural pectins to create a rich, amber-colored juice. This process slows down fermentation, allowing the cider to retain some of the apples’ natural sugars. The end result is a cider that has just a hint of sparkle and a deep, fruity sweetness. Keeved Cider is perfect for pairing with cheese or desserts, offering a natural sweetness that’s balanced by a light acidity and tannins.

3. Pet Nat (Pétillant Naturel)

Find & Foster’s Pet Nat cider is made using the ancestral method of cider-making, which predates even the Champagne method. This cider is bottled toward the end of the primary fermentation, allowing the natural sugars and yeasts to continue fermenting in the bottle. The result is a cider with a gentle sparkle and a fruit-forward profile.

What’s unique about the Pet Nat cider is that Polly and Matt often ferment it in contact with the apple skins, enhancing the complexity and fruitiness of the final product. The cider has a slightly cloudy appearance, a result of the natural fermentation process. With its vibrant flavours and natural effervescence, Pet Nat is a great choice for casual sipping, picnics, or lighter dishes like salads and seafood.

4. Still Cider

In addition to their sparkling ciders, Find & Foster also produce a couple of Still Ciders, which is a purer, more rustic expression of the apples. Unlike their sparkling counterparts, the still cider is not subjected to secondary fermentation, which allows the natural flavours of the apples to shine through without the distraction of bubbles. This cider is dry and refreshing, making it an excellent choice for those who appreciate more traditional, straightforward ciders.

The Role of Biodiversity: Cider with a Conscience

Polly and Matt’s dedication to sustainability doesn’t stop at preserving the orchards. Find & Foster is deeply committed to biodiversity, both in the apples they grow and in the land they nurture. By reviving ancient orchards, they’re not just producing exceptional cider; they’re also creating habitats for a wide range of wildlife. Bees, butterflies, birds, and other pollinators thrive in these orchards, and the lack of chemical intervention ensures that the ecosystem remains healthy and balanced.

One of the most impressive aspects of their work is how they collaborate with other local orchard owners to preserve and foster biodiversity. By carefully pruning and maintaining the orchards, they allow the trees to flourish in a way that’s both natural and sustainable. This approach ensures that the orchards will continue to produce fruit for generations to come, preserving not just the apple varieties, but the entire ecosystem that surrounds them.

Find & Foster’s Future: Expanding Beyond Devon

As word spreads about Find & Foster’s exceptional ciders, Polly and Matt’s influence is growing beyond the borders of Devon. Their ciders are now stocked in fine dining establishments across the UK, often featured on wine lists due to their refined quality and versatility with food pairings. But despite their growing success, Polly and Matt remain committed to their roots. Every bottle of Find & Foster cider is a testament to their love for the land, the apples, and the process of making cider the traditional way.

The couple is also deeply involved in the local community, hosting events and workshops where they teach others about orchard preservation, pruning, and sustainable farming practices. Their vision extends beyond their own production; they want to inspire others to join them in their mission to save the orchards and produce cider that’s in harmony with nature.

A True Craft in Every Bottle

Find & Foster isn’t just a cider brand—it’s a movement. Polly and Matt’s dedication to reviving ancient orchards and producing cider that’s rooted in traditional methods is nothing short of inspiring. From the time-honoured techniques they use to the care they put into every bottle, their work is a celebration of nature, craft, and sustainability.

If you ever find yourself in Devon, I highly recommend visiting Polly and Matt, if only to experience firsthand the love and care that goes into their ciders. And if you can’t make it, the next best thing is to try one of their incredible ciders, each offering a taste of the land, the apples, and the history that makes Find & Foster such a special brand.