I always thought it was weird that cider is not that popular in Lebanon, knowing that apples account for 1/4 of the total fruit production of the country. Wata is the first Lebanese cider I hear of when it was introduced recently at the Faqra summer festivities and there’s a beautiful story behind it.

“Tal3in 3al Wata”!. Growing up in the 1980’s, nothing would excite us more than visiting our grandparents house in Wata. We spent entire days with family and relatives, climbing trees, picking apples that now go into WATA Cider, chasing wood Beatles and butterflies, telling each other stories that we made up as we went along, and tasting the unforgettable sweetness of ripe fruit. Still teenagers, we would marvel at the feel of the warm earth under our feet and the fiery sun above as the fragrant aroma of home-cooked Lebanese food would waft from our grandmother’s kitchen window. The orchard was our playground and it never stopped revealing its many secrets, fears and wonders.
Today, we’re thrilled to be back in Wata, turning our unique Lebanese apples into one of Lebanon’s finest ciders and introducing new bold flavors to adventurous palates. Through WATA Cider we are proud to contribute to Lebanon’s quality local produce and to offer a solution to the apple crisis endangering the livelihood of so many farmers’ today. WATA represents freedom and inspiration; the ability to create something solely from nature and to live by your own rules. There’s some of that freedom in every bottle of WATA Cider.

Wata was founded by Soha Frem Karam, who quit her job following the apple crisis in Lebanon, and took classes in cider making with renowned international expert Peter Mitchell before starting Wata cider.

Apple cider can be enjoyed hot or cold. Apple Cider Mimosas are quite good and refreshing.