Cider Chat · Ria Windcaller: Award-winning Cidermaker, Podcaster | Craft Beer Columnist

485: Cider as a Catalyst for Chile's Edible Forest

January 7, 2026·57 min·5 clips

Carlos uncovers Chile's 400-year-old cider legacy with over 50 cider houses and 50,000 gallons produced annually.

Carlos Flores starts in old cider country. He describes a place with 400 years of cider history, more than 50 cider houses, tunnel barrels, mills, and a local economy that used to be much bigger. Then the talk gets its hands dirty. In his field, Carlos reads the land by pattern. He compares his green marked piece with the neighbor field and spots where trees once stood. That old spacing matters. The trees were planted roughly 22 to 25 feet apart, and some had climbed to around 40 feet. Pretty, sure. Also risky. Winter made a few trees dangerous, harvest got harder, and the edible forest needed more sun through the canopy. So pruning came first. Carlos cut back wild growth, opened the middle of the trees, and by the next season the flowers looked better. The plan still respects the cider work. Carlos and Eli know the ground under the trees cannot turn into a complete tangle, because apples still have to come out of there. Grass cutting stays in the design. They keep clear green areas for walking, gathering fruit, and keeping the orchard useful, not just lovely. The host treats it as a cool CiderCon 2025 session, especially for anyone watching the synced PowerPoint on YouTube. Chile's wine culture is right there in the background, but cider is rising too. Carlos's edible forest gives the episode a calm, hopeful push toward 2026. Ciderville gets its nod, then the show closes with patron thanks, a follow reminder, and Ria Windcaller easing the community toward episode 500.

As heard by us

A Chilean cider talk that ties 400 years of history to an edible-forest approach.

At CiderCon 2025, Carlos Flores gives this episode a clear center: Chilean cider as a 400-year story with more than 50 cider houses, tunnel barrels, mills, and a regional economy behind it.

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Why you'd press play

For when you want cider history, orchard craft, and a look at where Chilean cider is going.

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