Today we pressed the first cider of the season. The apples were early-season “drops” and “seconds” that we won’t sell or put into sauce. We pressed small amounts of Trailman, Red China, Transcendent Crab, Somerset of Maine and several others. We used the small hand press to press a bushel or less at a time. The goal was to learn more about each single variety before it is blended. In six weeks or so we’ll use the large bladder press to fill carboys and a barrel with blends of our favorites.