How Green Is It… To Drink Cider?

by The Green Living Detective 2,160 views0

how green is it to drink cider

When it comes to alcohol, there can be a really wide spread in what’s good for the environment. I’ve investigated tequila, beer, wine, organic wine and even boxed wine, all with varying results.

Somehow, I’ve overlooked cider. While still the smallest portion of the alcohol industry, it’s also the fastest growing.

Compared to other alcoholic beverages, where the biggest environmental impact is in the manufacturing stage, it has the simplest production process. Grow, pick, wash, grind and mash the apples. Let it ferment without heat (more like wine than beer). Process done.

But, of course, it’s never really that simple.

Traditionally-grown apples are at the very top of the Environmental Working Group’s Dirty Dozen – getting a free-for-all spray fest of pesticides

One recent study compared organic apple farming and conventional apple farming and their impacts on the environment specifically from making cider. It shouldn’t be a surprise that conventional apple farming had the biggest environmental impact.

But one thing cideries have going for them that straight apple producers don’t, even from non-organic farms, is that cideries don’t mind ugly apples. Taking this even farther, it means that apples grown with the purpose of becoming hard cider can skip the pesticides and still come out with a great-tasting product.

More like a forest than a crop, apple orchards absorb carbon dioxide, provide habitat and, if done right can offer seasonal grazing of livestock.

So… How Green is it to Drink Cider?

Really Green

Best Green Solution: Cider might be the most eco-friendly alcohol. Still, make sure the brand you’re buying uses sustainable practices, like using organic apples, composting their waste and scraps. Take it to the limit and drink from a reusable glass from a keg. Or, you can even make your own at home.

Don’t be tempted: Avoid cider from far away. Like with all beverages, transportation can come with a big carbon footprint. Liquid-filled glass bottles or aluminum cans are heavy. In the U.S., 15% of hard cider is imported, which is ridiculous as apples can be grown in all 50 states.


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The Green Living Detective

One day, I just couldn't wash out the squishy peanut butter jar one more time. But I didn't know what was the most responsible way to get rid of it. So, I became the Green Living Detective. I spend the time doing rigorous research on green living questions so you don't have to. When I'm not the Green Living Detective, I am an environmental copywriter and mom of one kiddo who holds me to higher green living standards than I might do on my own. Progress Over Perfection, I keep telling her.

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