Keeving in USA

[Wes Henricksen]

Hi all!  I"m new to the group, and live in WA state, in the US.  I'd like to make a keeved cider this year, but am having a very hard time finding a source of pectin methylesterase (PME) enzyme.  Does anyone know of a source?  I'm just a hobby grower, so only need enough for 30gal (120 liters) or so.

Thanks!

Wes

[Claude Jolicoeur]

You can get some from La Fabrique du vin in Quebec. They will ship to the US (although I am not too sure how it works now that there is tax on small parcels). They are as far as I know the only importer in North America.

https://boutique.fabriqueduvin.com/boutique/fr/ingrEdients/pour-le-cidre/kit-pour-la-gelification-des-pectines-keeving-avec-de-la-pectine-methylesterase-pme-p659c74c132/

You can send an email at: in...@fabriqueduvin.com

[Wes Henricksen]

thank you very much!

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[Jonathan Miner]

Hi Wes, 

Claude is right that ordering a kit from La Fabrique du Vin in Quebec is the best way to go for getting the PME in the US in a reasonable quantity. I actually just ordered my kit this week. Shipping to the US for small packages has gotten more complicated, but the woman that runs the shop (Chantal) is very helpful and can figure it out. If you want to order one, I suggest getting on it ASAP as she can run out. 

She sent an email to repeat customers back in early august setting out her process for US orders, which I have pasted below for you. 

I'm also in WA, based in Seattle, and I've been having fun making keeved ciders for personal consumption for several years. Our climate is great for keeving and then a really slow fermentation outside over the winter. Happy to connect and share more notes with you.

Cheers,

Jonathan 

------------------------

Bonjour,

 

Would you like to experiment with pectin methylesterase (PME) enzyme for "Keeving" again this year? The kits and the enzyme are currently available for pre-order on our online store until August 16, 2025. By proceeding this way (in pre-order), you are sure to have the desired product and quantities. Distribution will then begin around September 9. Here is the link to the products on our shop: https://boutique.fabriqueduvin.com/boutique/fr/ingrEdients/pour-le-cidre/kit-pour-la-gelification-des-pectines-keeving-p659c74c132/

You will find all the information there (in French only). For USA customers, shipping is possible but will be calculated separately later. You can then make your pre-order by checking the "cuiellette en magasin" (pick up in store) option.

 

Here are the prices:

Kit (enzyme and calcium chloride) to produce 60 liters = $12.95

Kit (enzyme and calcium chloride) to produce 500 liters = $39.95

Kit (enzyme and calcium chloride) to produce 1000 liters = $49.95

Enzyme (pectin-methylesterase or PME) only to produce 1000 liters = $44.95

 

For larger quantities, please contact us by email (in...@fabriqueduvin.com)

 

Please, do not hesitate to email us for any additional information. Note we do not speak English, but if you write back, we will be able to understand each other using Google Translate! :)

 

Have a great day!

Chantal Poissant

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

La Fabrique du Vin
279 rue Saint-Jean
Québec (Qc) Canada
G1R 1N8
tél/fax: 418-525-4834
in...@fabriqueduvin.com
www.fabriqueduvin.com

[Wes Henricksen]

Thanks!  I ordered some today. I’ve got about 40 dwarf trees on my property and they’re in their 3rd year of production; this year is definitely the biggest thus far. Excited to try keeving but am certainly nervous about ruining a batch (which seems like a real possibility). 

 I was actually thinking about starting a native yeast culture ahead of time with some of my wickson crab apples. They are lower pH (juice this year is 3.3-3.4) and I figure would be less likely to grow spoilage organisms. Then I could add that to the sulfited juice (instead of commercial yeast) and hopefully that would ‘pitch’ with a more vigorous culture of native yeasts. Seem like that would work?

Wes

On Sep 17, 2025, at 9:13 PM, Jonathan Miner <jonathan...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi Wes, 

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[Jonathan Miner]

I heard from Chantal at La Fabrique du vin that US customs may be rejecting her shipments of the keeving kits due to issue with FDA registration or some other regulatory issue.  

Has anyone else found any other source for PME (pectin methylesterase) in the US before? 

Thank you,

Jonathan

[Wes Henricksen]

It looks like one can buy large quantities from some enzyme manufacturers (including on Amazon) for about $300.  I wonder if some of us grieving US residents would want to go in on a purchase together and split the enzyme.  

[Christopher Bartlett]

Just following up on Jonathan's comments  that Chantel at La Fabrique du Vin emailed me to say that the US FDA denied shipment of a keeping kit to me in the state of Maine, USA.  Below is a portion of her email to me.  I've purchased keeping supplies from La Fabrique du Vin with no problems in the past.  This a a big-time bummer! I'd appreciate any info on other suppliers that I can try. 

"The package was returned to me yesterday. It seems that the FDA requires me to obtain certain certifications to export this product to the US. Given the low sales volume in the US, it's not economically viable for me to go through the certification process."

[Claude Jolicoeur]

And I also got an email from Chantal today - 2 boxes that had been shipped to the US were returned to her.

Consequently, she will not ship any new order to the US.

Really annoying for you guys on the other side of the border... But this seems to be a consequence of Trump's new rules for imports to the US.

Also I imagine that you'd have the same problems if you ordered the PME directly from Standa in France.

[Wes Henricksen]

Hi all,

I spoke with Modernist Pantry, who CAN get PME.  However, they can only order bulk amounts, like 15 liters.  I assume that there are not enough of us in the US who want PME to split this, but thought I'd throw it out there.

There are also online enzyme labs where one can order it.  If there are others who are interested splitting a large order; please let me know?

Wes

[Jonathan Miner]

Hi all, 

Chantal at La Fabrique is trying one more time with my shipment using a different customs prepaid service from FedEx. We will see if it works. I should know in the next day or so if it does.  If that fails again, I think our only other option in the US is likely trying to get a larger order from an enzyme lab and then splitting it up. I may be able to source 1 kilogram (in powder, not liquid form) of the enzyme from one such supplier. The cost is nearly $400, but if I can't get the order from Chantal, I will go ahead and order the 1 kg of enzyme and then I would be happy to split off portions of it for Wes and any others that need some this year.  

Thanks,

Jonathan

 

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[Claude Jolicoeur]

If it still doesn't work, you could also do as I did with Chantal, and talk to a detail supplier to convince them to make the bulk order and split it. After all, this is what their job is...

Before Chantal took this, I did the import myself and split for a group of cider makers. And it is not my cup of tea!!! I much prefer that Chantal takes care of this.

[Jonathan Miner]

Claude, 

That is a great idea. I'me holding out some hope that Chantal's updated shipping method might work, but if that does fail I will see if one of the good homebrew supply stores here in Seattle is willing to do it. 

Cheers,

Jonathan

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[Wes Henricksen]

Jonathan, obviously I am in!  

Also, my brother lives in Bellingham, and has friends who frequently visit family in Canada.  He is going to check if any of them are heading there soon.  If so, will try to have a larger quantity shipped there and brought here.  Seems like long shot, but we'll see!  

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[Bill Carwile]

Hello,

I am thinking of getting a 40 liter hydro press next year. I am on the US.  In looking around on the internet it looks like I can buy a Speidel hydro for about $1,700 +/- olr an American made version for about $1,200  US.  Is the Speidel press significantly better or worth the extra price?

I'm currently using a vintage American made dual basket farmhouse type hand crank press with a screw press all in one unit.  It is a Buckeye Junior. Nostalgic but my help anf I are getting a bit old for the hand crank work!

Thanks for input.

Bill Carwile

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[Scott Harring]

I got the same message last week from Chantal last week.  Was super bummed after plugging all the French on the website into google translate to place an order.  Hopefully it works out.  

Bill - I bought a 20L hydro-press on Amazon for a fraction of the Spiedel price.  I've used it a number of times and it gets the job done.  There also a 40L version.  I don't know if it will last as long as a Spiedel.  But you could buy 2 of the cheap ones for the price of the name-brand hydro-press. 

[Allan Warman]

I own a 40 and 90 liter Speidel hydro press. I purchased used from a winery and Facebook marketplace. We live in WA State on our apple and pear orchard. I also own a Speidel 220v grinder. Paid $450 for 40, $800 for 90 and $400 for grinder. I have seen deals on Marketplace and Craigslist, I was always looking.  Call wineries and they may have outgrown their presses and have a hydro in the back room. Good luck and have a great pressing season. Allan

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[Bill Carwile]

The less expensive 40 liter model that I located here in the US is $1,099.00.   It is Kegland brand.  The best price that I have found for the Speidel is $1,599.00.   Reviews seem positive for the Kegland model but there are not a lot of reviews out there.

Thanks.

Bill   

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[Bill Carwile]

Oops, I intended to post this in response to the string of posts inquiring about the amount of pomace that the 40 liter hydro-press can handle.  Sorry. Geezers and cell phones is a bad combination.

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[Bill Carwile]

Thanks.  good adiv e.

Bill

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[Jonathan Miner]

Hi all, 

For those that were interested in getting a Keeving Kit from Chantal at La Fabrique du Vin, she successfully got me a package last week via an alternative FedEx International shipment service. My guess is that she's already gotten in touch with those of you that had ordered and had shipments stopped at the border, but if not and if you are still looking for Keeving Kits, she may still be able to help you out. 

Happy pressing all! 

Cheers,

Jonathan

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