{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"486: Apples, Cider, and Community | 450 Years of Cider Culture in Chile","description":"Recorded live at CiderCon, this episode brings listeners into a rare, in-depth conversation about Chile\u2019s living cider tradition\u2014one shaped by more than 450 years of apple fermentation, deep regional biodiversity, and community-based agriculture. Moderated by Eli Shanks, this panel features cider makers, cooperative leaders, and academics from southern Chile who explore how apples arrived, adapted, and endured across Araucan\u00eda, Los R\u00edos, and the Chilo\u00e9 archipelago. Rather than a \u201cnew\u201d cider movement, Chile offers something far rarer: a cider culture that never disappeared. At the heart of the discussion is Chicha\u2014the traditional name for fermented apple beverages in Chile\u2014and the cultural weight that language carries. Panelists unpack how Chicha and cider share the same roots, why heritage orchards matter, and what\u2019s at stake as aging farmers, development pressure, and climate change threaten seed-grown apple diversity. Listeners will also hear about: Heritage apple orchards over 100 years old, many grown from seed The role of women as primary stewards of orchards and biodiversity Native fermentation vessels made from Raul\u00ed and other Chilean woods Cooperative cider making on the island of Chilo\u00e9 The challenges of valuing cider beyond \u201ccheap, rural\u201d perceptions The future of Chilean cider on the global stage, including education, competitions, and potential export This episode offers an essential perspective for anyone interested in cider as culture\u2014not trend\u2014and in how place, people, and history shape what ends up in the glass. Panelists & Contributors Eli Shanks \u2013 Co-founder, Punta de Fierro Fine Cider; Head Cider Maker, Western Cider Gicella \u2013 President, Cooperative Chilwe (Chilo\u00e9) Ren\u00e9 Galindo \u2013 Third-generation cider maker, Araucan\u00eda Carlos Flores \u2013 Co-founder, Punta de Fierro Fine Cider; Orchardist, Valdivia Fabi\u00e1n Lara \u2013 Cider & beer consultant; INDAP (Chilean Ministry of Agriculture) Jos\u00e9 Antonio Aldea \u2013 Professor and fermentation educator Key Themes Chilean cider and Chicha traditions Heritage apple orchards and seed-grown ecotypes Women\u2019s roles in orchard preservation Cooperative models and island agriculture Native materials and spontaneous fermentation Preserving cider culture in a changing landscape Timestamps \u23f1\ufe0f Detailed timestamps are listed above to help you jump to specific topics, speakers, and cider discussions. 00:00 Introduction to Chicha and Cider 00:26 News Out and About  Ciderville  00:43 Episode Overview: Chilean Cider Panel 03:30 Upcoming Events and Announcements 07:42 Introduction to the Chilean Panel 10:44 Chilean Cider Regions and History 16:11 Traditional Cider Making in Chile 18:11 Modern Chilean Cider and Future Prospects 20:16 Cider Tasting and Panel Discussion 29:32 Consumer Perception of Cider in Chile 30:07 Challenges and Efforts in Differentiation 30:34 Traditional and New World Ciders 31:13 Exciting Apple Varieties and Characteristics 32:19 Naming and Regional Varieties 35:40 Incorporating Local Fruits into Cider 38:09 Historical Context and Apple Lineages 41:47 Fire Blight and Disease Resistance 42:57 Modern vs. Traditional Cider Making 44:15 Collaborations with Winemakers 47:12 Preserving Heritage Apple Orchards 52:10 Forming a Cooperative in Chilo\u00e9 54:53 Market Development and Sales Strategies 57:03 Generational Gaps and Preservation Efforts 59:08 Future Goals and International Connections Support Cider Chat\u00ae If you value independent, long-form conversations that preserve cider history and amplify global voices, consider supporting Cider Chat\u00ae on Patreon. Your support helps keep these stories accessible and the podcast on the air.   ","author_name":"Cider Chat","author_url":"https:\/\/ciderchat.com","html":"