What Is Wassail? A Cider Tradition Rooted in Orchards

As winter draws to a close and the first signs of spring begin to appear, cider makers and orchard growers across the UK celebrate an ancient tradition known as Wassail.

Rooted in folklore, community, and the rhythms of the orchard, Wassail is one of the oldest cider-related customs still observed today.

What does “Wassail” mean?

The word Wassail comes from the Old English greeting “waes hael”, meaning “be well” or “good health.” Over time, it became both a toast and a celebration, closely linked to cider and apple growing.

To “wassail” is to gather, drink cider, and wish good health, not just to people, but to the orchard itself.

The history of Wassailing

Wassailing dates back hundreds of years, particularly in the West Country - Somerset and Devon.

Traditionally held in late January, Wassail ceremonies were performed to:

• Wake the apple trees from winter

• Ward off evil spirits

• Encourage a healthy blossom and harvest in the year ahead

Communities would gather in orchards, singing, banging pots, firing shotguns into the trees, and pouring cider onto the roots. All in the hope of ensuring a successful apple crop that year.

The connection between Wassail, orchards, and cider

Apple orchards sit at the centre of the Wassail tradition, and for good reason. Without healthy orchards, there is no cider.

Orchards are living ecosystems, supporting birds, insects, wildflowers, and crucially pollinators like bumblebees. Wassailing is a reminder that apple growing isn’t just agriculture; it’s a partnership between people, plants, and wildlife.

Why Wassail still matters today

While the customs may look different now, the message behind Wassail remains incredibly relevant. British orchards are declining, pollinator populations are suffering, and some traditional apple varieties are at risk of disappearing.

It’s a tradition that brings people together while shining a light on the importance of caring for the landscapes that sustain us.

Wassail and BumbleBee Cider

At BumbleBee Cider, Wassail perfectly reflects what we stand for. We make cider from British apples, celebrate orchard biodiversity, and support the Bumblebee Conservation Trust because bumblebees are essential pollinators of apple blossom.

Without them, there is no harvest. And without harvest, there is no cider.

Raising a glass at Wassail is more than a toast, it’s a promise to protect the orchards, pollinators, and traditions that make cider possible.

So this Wassail season, lift a cup, wish the trees well, and drink to a healthy harvest ahead.

Waes hael.