Australian cider research going global

The global cider industry has exhibited steady growth and is forecast to continue on a steep trajectory.  Tasmania is punching above its weight in developing the skills and reputation for cider making.  

One researcher who is leading the charge at the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) is Dr Fiona Kerslake (pictured below with Cider Tasmania President Corey Baker).  

Dr Fiona Kerslake has been invited by the yeast and bacteria company Lallemand to give a presentation to their annual technical day on the Australian perspective of cider making, both from research and industry angles.  The small investment by State Government in the ‘building quality in Tasmanian cider’ project, combined with TIA’s recent publication in Food Chemistry, has paid significant dividends on an international stage culminating in this invitation.  It is also recognition from a company such as Lallemand that there is significant value in the cider research being conducted in Tasmania.

​This travel to Tallinn, Estonia, will provide an opportunity for Dr Kerslake to create linkages with the other few cider researchers in the world.

​The Cider Research team at TIA (comprising Dr Fiona Kerslake, Dr Anna Carew, Dr Joanna Jones, Harriet Walker, Dr Nigel Swarts and Dr Dugald Close) have worked hard with a dedicated bunch of cider enthusiasts and producers to produce a handbook that captures the scientific principles underpinning inconsistencies in cider quality. Contact TIA if you are interested in a copy  Phone +61 3 6226 6368
Email tia.enquiries@utas.edu.au.   

​In addition, TIA have worked closely with industry on yeast research.   

We wish Dr Fiona Kerslake well on her trip to Estonia and look forward to hearing about her experience upon returning to Tasmania.