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, 

To view this discussion, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cider-workshop/4cbe0b30-3e7c-4532-b8bd-c50940873e6en%40googlegroups.com.

[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.