US-based cider maker Angry Orchard has introduced a new glass christened the Orchard Glass, designed for hard cider.
Cider is a beverage that caters to unique taste that lies somewhere between wine and beer. The cider makers wanted to develop a glass that would give craft cider drinkers a customized experience.
For the glass development, the cider makers consulted several cider and sensory experts. The Orchard Glass is designed specifically for the fresh apple flavour of Angry Orchard's Crisp Apple cider, which is made from a culmination of the culinary apples of Italy and the conventional cider apples from France.
The Orchard Glass is named after the cider maker's new orchard opening in Hudson Valley, New York, which is slated to open later this year. The Glass is meant to enhance the cider's fresh apple taste, aroma, and crispiness.
The project saw the cider makers draw sketches and test more than 50 glass options in a variety of shapes and openings. Several sensory and cider experts from across the world became a part of the project.
Peter Mitchell of the Cider & Perry Academy in the UK and Roy Desrochers of Tufts University Sensory and Science Center; and Boston University Adjunct Professor Sandy Block, Master of Wine and Vice President of Beverage at Legal Sea Foods, all joined in to develop the Orchard Glass. The panel evaluated the functional design features and engaged in tastings.
Four key features were included in order to enhance the cider drinking experience of the customer. A Nucleation seed was introduced which is a small etching beneath the glass to enhance carbonation and improve flavour and aroma without the quick depletion of carbonation.
The rounded bowl feature of the glass helps gather and concentrate the cider aromas of bright, fresh apple.
The glass comes with a narrow opening for the aromas to become more intense as the consumers take them to their lips. Cider aromas are faint and hence it is important for the glass to go straight up rather than taper out which would diminish the aromas.
Since the cider has to be had straight up, the beading of the glass is designed in such a way that the drink is placed at the right spot on the palate, so that the consumer gets the balance of taste with sweet and dry, while the beading of the glass releases more carbonation to enhance the flavour as it hits the tongue.
Certain additional features have been added to this unique glass to help maintain optimal temperature and provide ergonomical features.
The bottom of the glass has a smaller surface area, making it comfortable to hold the glass, and also to avoid warming up of the cider and helping it to stay at optimal temperature for longer so that the drinker enjoys it for a longer period than he would with a regular pint glass.
Orchid Glass is endowed with a comfortable grip enabling the cider to flow into mouth easily, thus enhancing the overall drinking experience.
Image: Orchard Glass has been tailor-made to suit cider drinker needs. Photo: Courtesy of Angry Orchard Cider Company.
