The Magic of the Cider Press: Pressing Apples, Building Community
Posted March 31, 2026There’s something about the cider press that goes beyond just making cider. At Parrett Cider, the simple act of pressing apples has become a tradition of togetherness—a place where people of all ages and backgrounds come together, side by side, to share in the work, the conversation, and the joy of creating something special. It’s loud, messy, and wonderfully unstructured, yet somehow, within the whirr of the press and the rhythm of the work, a quiet kind of magic happens.
Pressing Apples, Building Community
There’s something truly special about Parrett Cider. It’s not just about making cider—it’s about the people, the laughter, the shared effort, and the age-old tradition of turning apples into something golden and glorious.
Each autumn, the press comes to life. People of all ages and backgrounds roll up their sleeves, grab a bucket, and get stuck in—washing apples, pulping, pressing, and collecting the juice. No one is in charge, yet everything runs smoothly, bound by a quiet understanding that this is how it’s always been done. And the reward? A cup of fresh cider, still cloudy and sweet, a taste of Somerset in its purest form.
The Magic of the Cider Press
But the magic of the cider press isn’t just in the drink—it’s in the unspoken camaraderie that forms around it. It’s noisy, it’s messy, and yet, within that chaos, there’s a kind of peace. Conversations flow as easily as the juice, some lighthearted, some deeply personal. There’s no pressure to talk, no need for eye contact, just the steady rhythm of work and the comforting presence of others.
An Important Tradition
I’ve noticed something beautiful happening in those moments. In a world where connection can feel fleeting, the cider press becomes a quiet space of support. It’s a place where people can stand side by side, shoulder to shoulder, pressing not just apples, but life’s worries and hardships into something new.
Maybe that’s why this tradition feels so important. Like the apples, we all go through our own kind of pressing, through challenges, change, and uncertainty. But together, we create something stronger, richer, and more meaningful.
So, if you ever get the chance to join a cider pressing, take it. It’s more than just a way to make cider; it’s a way to be part of something bigger, a tradition, a community, a moment of simple, shared joy.
