How to Make Apple Cider

Tap to Read ➤ Maya Pillai

Today, one can pick a tin of apple cider from the freezer of a departmental store. However, there is nothing like making it at home. Here we will tell you how to make it in the comfort of your home. Have a look.

Apple cider is a very popular non-alcoholic and unfiltered drink in the United States and Canada. This drink is made from different varieties of apples and is a traditional drink served at Halloween parties and on Thanksgiving Day.

It is a very old drink, which has been around since the ninth century BC in Europe. The European settlers introduced it in the United States. Brewing apple cider at home became a trend in the early centuries.

Homemade Apple Cider

A cider press, blender or food processor, knife, and a cutting board are the required tools.

Red Delicious, Fuji, Jonagold, Green Delicious are generally used to make sweet cider. The varieties such as Pink Lady, Winesap, McIntosh, Granny Smith have a tart flavor hence are used to make a tangy and sharp flavored cider. You can also mix sweet and sour apples to get a blend of sweet, tangy flavor.

While selecting apples for the cider, discard the apples that are spoiled, damaged, and the ones infected with worms else it will accelerate the rate of fermentation, and the cider will become spoiled. If you are planning to use apples from your apple tree, keep in mind not to use those that are lying on the ground.

Once the apples are selected, the next step is to clean them. Wash the apples well under running water or in a large bucket of water. Using a sharp knife to cut the apples and core the seeds.

Put the cut apples in a blender and grind it into a fine paste. Sieve the paste through a fine cheesecloth by passing it under a cider press. You need a minimum of 40 apples to make a gallon of cider.

Its quality and the quantity would depend on the type of the apples used, ripeness, size of the chopped apples, and how much they were pressed using the cider press. Further, if the apples are ground finely, the color of the cider will be dark. There would also be more sediment in the apple juice.

To slow down the process of fermentation, the fresh cider should be stored at a temperature between 30 and 40ºF. It would remain fresh for a period of ten days before it begins to ferment.

However, if you want it to last longer, boil it at the temperature of 160ºF. Cool the liquid and store it in airtight containers and refrigerate it. This would last for at least a month. You can also freeze it for future consumption. It stays fresh for almost a year.

Types of Apple Cider

Unpasteurized Cider

These are sold outside the cider mill and are fresh but fermented.

Hard Cider

The unpasteurized cider would become fermented within a week. You have to add liquid brewing yeast or dry yeast to it. This would accelerate the fermentation, and it eventually becomes hard cider.

Hot Apple Cider

This type is heated to boiling temperature and seasoned with spices, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and orange peel. It is also known as mulled cider.

Sparkling Cider

Non-alcoholic and carbonated beverage made from filtered cider is known as sparkling cider. This is served as an alternative to champagne on many festive occasions.

That said, go ahead and make your own apple cider at home for family and friends. They are sure to be impressed!