The History of Cider Production In Norway
Did you know that cider production and manufacturing has a long and storied tradition in Norway? It is a little known fact about the Scandanavian country that often surprises people. However, with the recent rise in popularity of the drink in Norway, all that will likely change very soon.
In this article, you can brush up on your cider knowledge and impress your friends in the pub! Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about Norway’s surprising cider history.
Early Cider History In Norway
We can’t talk about cider without talking about apples. The earliest documentation of fruit growing in Norway dates all the way back to the 13th century. It is believed that the Cistercian monks were the first to plant apple trees in Norway.
The region of Hardanger was among the first to begin to use apples to produce cider. Production of cider thrived between 1890 and 1920. However, in 1920, the Vinmonopolet or The Wine Monopoly was founded. This government monopoly, on the sale of beverages with an alcohol content above 4.95%, stalled the production of cider. However, many Norwegians continued to brew the drink on a smaller scale in their homes.
The Cider Tradition Is Alive And Well
It seems that homebrewing kept the cider tradition alive and well in Norway. Today, cider is becoming an increasingly popular drink amongst locals and tourists alike. Luckily, the Norwegian microclimate in regions like Hardangerfjord and Sognefjord is perfect for growing a huge variety of apples in flourishing orchards. In fact, 40% of all Norwegian fruit is grown in the Hardangerfjord region.
What makes the apples in Hardanger and Sognefjord so great? It turns out that the fjords play an important role. They reflect light onto the steep slopes helping the apples grow and they also help keep the climate cooler during the summer months. Additionally, the gulf stream helps keep the climate warmer during the winter months. When combined, these factors help create an ideal environment to grow incredibly tasty fruit.
Cider Tour in the Hardangerfjord
Today, Hardanger cider is used to refer to ciders made with apples harvested from the Hardanger region. This is similar to the way the term Champagne can only be used to reply to alcohol created using grapes from the Champagne region.
A Cider Tour in the Hardangerfjord is a perfect alternative for those seeking to experience and taste the delicious Hardanger Cider. During the tour, you learn about the production and manufacturing of the drink first hand. You will be able to sample the incredible array of ciders available and learn about what creates the unique flavors in each type of cider. After your cider tasting, a delicious lunch will be served in the fascinating Agatunet Village. The lunch menu will consist of locally sourced ingredients with a focus on fresh produce.
Cider tasting, blossoming fruit trees, beautiful mountains and breathtaking waterfalls in a magnificent fjord landscape!
Cheers!
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Geirangerfjord winter cruise
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Fjord cruise and dinner at Cornelius
Bergen • 5 hr
From 1495NOK
Available all year
Half-day kayak tour in Gudvangen
Gudvangen • 4 hr
From 1150NOK
Available 15 April - 30 September
Exclusive Experience
Local food tasting in Flåm
Flåm • 1 hr
From 550NOK
Available 15 May - 15 October
A Norwegian evening on the Oslofjord
Oslo • 3 hr
From 659NOK
Available 8 May - 5 October
Glamping at Trolltunga
Multiple locations • 1 day 4 hr
From 4750NOK
Available 1 May - 1 December
Best seller
Dinner cruise on the Oslofjord
Oslo • 2 hr 30 min
From 1290NOK
Available all year
Ulriken Gondola & lunch with a view
Bergen • 2 hr 30 min
From 1099NOK
Available all year
Geirangerfjord winter cruise
Ålesund • 9 hr
From 2550NOK
Available 3 November - 30 March
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Traditional Norwegian food
Norway has a lot of interesting traditional food, and any travelers visiting Norway would do well to sample some of the local cuisines. Culinary traditions in Norway have been dominated by meat, fish, and seafood that could be hunted or caught. These days the Norwegian food space represents an interesting mix of old and new due to culinary influences from all over the world.
Norwegian cider’s rise in popularity
Cider brewing is a Norwegian custom that dates all the way back to the 13th century. However, once the Vinmonopolet or the Wine Monopoly came into effect, the practice largely died down. Despite this, Norwegians continued to brew cider in their homes and cellars. And now the drink is experiencing a surge in popularity yet again. If you’re a cider lover planning a visit to Norway, here’s everything you need to know!
Top 3 Norwegian recipes to try
If you are a foodie or even just a lover of barbecue, then you will definitely want to make sure that you take a trip to Norway to experience the incredible local cuisine in places like Bergen and Røros. To give you a small taste of the kind of culinary experience you will get in Norway, here are three top Norwegian recipes that you can easily make at home.
Sustainable eating trends
Norway is already publicly recognized by almost every foodie as being home to some of the tastiest cuisine options in the world, with some truly exquisite national recipes like lutefisk and pinnekjøtt originating in Nordic countries. But what you may not know is that Norway is also a leader in bio-farming and sustainable food production.
Here's what you'll experience at this record-setting underwater restaurant
There are a lot of fantastic things to experience on land in Norway, but there is a new exciting activity that takes you under the water. At the southern tip of Norway in Lindesnes, you can find the world's largest underwater restaurant.
What did the average viking eat?
When your every-day activities include pillaging villages and exploring the impressive fjords in Norway, you are going to need a lot of energy to sustain yourself. This means eating some pretty astonishing meals in order to maintain proper health with such an active lifestyle.
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Every culture will have its own set of unique food items that either impress or disgust visitors when they try it upon visiting. Norway is no different and offers an assortment of delicious Norwegian food that is unlike anything that can be found anywhere else in the world. Some of the more common examples include lutefisk and pinnekjøtt.
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