The American Cider Association has announced the expansion of its beverage professional education and certification programme to the global cider community.
The Certified Cider Professional (CCP) programme was launched at CiderCon 2016 with a particular focus on the United States. Since then, it has developed to become the most robust and thorough cider appreciation and education programme for beverage professionals in the world, says the association.
Recently, the ACA has revised study and exam materials to have a broader scope, and the ACA’s Certified Cider Professional programme is now applicable to anywhere in the world where cider is made and sold.
“We have been getting an increasing number of inquiries about the CCP program from all over the world,” said Jennie Dorsey, ACA education operations manager. “A number of candidates for the second level of certification, certified pommelier, have even made a trip to the US just to sit for the exam, so clearly there is an unmet need out there and no other comparable education programme available.”
Award-winning educator and global cider expert Gabe Cook, AKA The Ciderologist, has joined forces with the ACA to help expand its certification programme to a global audience.
He said: “I am delighted to be teaming up with the ACA through CCP to increase the knowledge, respect, and passion for one of the world’s truly great and ancient drinks.
“Now is the time for a unified education programme that is applicable and open to anyone and everyone from Seattle to Somerset, Shanghai to Sydney. It is a true reflection of the globalisation of cider and indicative of this being an incredibly exciting time for cider.”
Visit cidercertification.org to learn more about CCP training and exam opportunities around the world. International certification inquiries can be made with Gabe Cook via Gabe@ciderassociation.org. North America based inquiries can be made with Jennie Dorsey via Jennie@ciderassociation.org.
