THE Malvern Autumn Show starts today and this year ​cider and perry is a key part of the weekend. Here's ten facts you might not have known before.

  1. You need a LOT of apples for cider
    More than half (56 per cent in fact) of apples grown in the UK are used to make cider
     
  2. Size matters
    A Perry tree can grow as large as an English Oak
     
  3. Cider is valuable
    Farmworkers' wages historically included four pints of cider a day
     
  4. We like it - a lot
    Westons Cider produce over 40 million litres of cider a year and press all of their own fruit - probably not with their feet
     
  5. You plant a Pear for an heir
    The old English saying relates to the fact Perry Pear trees can produce fruit for as long as 250 years but grow slowly.
     
  6. Forget about fizz!
    The British aristocracy replaced Champagne with Perry when at war with wine producing countries such as France and Portugal
     
  7. An apple a day keeps the doctor away 
    It's actually true! Who knew? Cider apples are high in dietary fibre, vitamin C and carotenoids, which protect against illnesses.
     
  8. It's hygienic (!)
    Forget water, 14th century babies were baptised in cider as it was potentially more sanitary.
     
  9. It's special in this county 
    It's Perry cider has its own recognised Protected Geographical Indication which is the three counties of Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.
     
  10. Cider makes you sing
    How do you make your fruit grow? Sing at them. The ancient practice of wassailing is still practiced in cider producing counties in England. Reveller visit orchards, reciting incantations and singing songs to promote a good harvest
     

The Malvern Autumn Show takes place today and tomorrow. More details about the show are available here