Brady's Lookout Cider planted over 80 varieties last year, which it is looking to sell at farmers markets, as well as use in their cider.
The Peasgood Nonsuch (left) dates back to 1872 and originates from Lincolnshire in the United Kingdom. It has a sweet and cooks to a puree. Fantastic for cooking. The Blue Permain (right) dates back to the 1800s and originates from the United States. It has a sweet cream flesh and a delicate aromatic quality. Also great to eat fresh.
"There is definitely a growing interest for heritage varieties," co-owner Caroline Brown said. "People are understanding and wanting to educate themselves on new varieties. So while growers are doing contract growing around new varieties that are being developed, what we are doing is bringing back the heritage ones."
It was not easy for Brady's Lookout Cider to source these new varieties. They had to go to Grove Research Station which to get the trees, which took two years to complete.
Ms Brown says they are trying for a dual purpose apple, that can be sold fresh or made into ciders."Some apples you would just eat or cook with," she said. "We are looking at the flavours and aromas that are just as good for cider. It means for a grower they have a good option for their trees."
PHOTO: The Kidds Orange Pippin dates back to 1924 and originates from New Zealand it has a sweet sharp flavour and good to each fresh.
Brady's Lookout Cider is a 20 hectare property, and while its unique flavoured apples are grown at their property, they also source bulk apples from other growers in the region to support the local industry.
The company will initially be selling these heritage varieties at farmers markets in an attempt to educate consumers and to help spark interest and demand, as well as preserving them. But eventually Caroline is hoping they can again be a part of the major supermarket's programs.
"It's not to say the varieties that have been developed aren't good," she said. "I know they are equally as good as the varieties that have been lost because they are more difficult to grow. We are doing a full circle with some of these apple varieties and I am optimistic that with people's knowledge and demand for different things, we will start to see supermarkets stocking what consumers want."
Brady's Lookout cider
She is hoping the new varieties will not just benefit consumers, but also growers, adding that for the first time in Tasmania specific cider orchards are being planted.
"I'm convinced that some of these apples will be a great opportunity for growers," Ms Brown said. "Maybe not in my lifetime - things like this take a while."
Caroline and her husband Chris checking out some heritage apples in Germany.
But the main part of the business is the cider, and due to the unique method of production finding the right balance of sugar, acid and tannin is vital. According to Caroline this was one of the main reasons for the new varieties.
"We make cider using the traditional method of making champagne, but with apples not grapes," she said. So our ciders are different to a lot of those produced in Australia. We have more of a delicate style so we are looking to develop a balance through the apples we get."