Certified Cider Professional™ Progam – 2025 Year in Review
As we close out the year, I find myself reflecting on how much the Certified Cider Professional™ education programming has grown and evolved. My goal this year was to make education more accessible, more practical, and more connected to real cider experiences. I focused on meeting learners where they are, whether that meant digital learning, attending a workshop, or tasting along at home.
One of the most impactful developments this year was the expansion of our sensory-focused videos on YouTube. These resources were designed to help learners slow down and practice, building familiarity with aroma, flavor, mouthfeel, and balance in a way that feels approachable and repeatable. I wanted these videos to feel like an open invitation to taste, pause, rewind, and revisit concepts as often as needed, because sensory skills are built through repetition and confidence.
In-person sensory workshops continued to be a vital part of our education work. There is something uniquely powerful about tasting together, comparing notes, and calibrating language in real time. These workshops allowed participants to explore cider styles, apple varieties, and structure side by side, reinforcing that sensory evaluation is both a personal experience and a shared conversation.
The addition of Study Kits shipped through Press Then Press helped bridge the gap between digital and in-person learning. By delivering curated tasting bundles directly to participants, we were able to extend the classroom into people’s homes. Tasting along with videos or workshops transformed abstract concepts into tangible understanding and kept the focus grounded in real cider.
Looking back, what stands out most is how these formats worked together. Videos, workshops, and delivered tasting bundles created multiple entry points into cider education, while reinforcing the same sensory foundations. As we move into the new year, I am proud of the curiosity, engagement, and commitment our community continues to bring to learning. This year reinforced my belief that thoughtful, inclusive education strengthens not just individual palates, but the cider industry as a whole.
Myself, the Education Committee, and the global team of Licensed Educators are excited to expand these educational offerings and to debut new digital and in person theory learning modules in the new year.
Jennie