How to make Traditional Cider? 8:16 AM

Making traditional cider is a rewarding process that involves fermenting apple juice. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you create your own cider at home.

Ingredients and Equipment

Ingredients

• Apples: About 20 pounds (a mix of sweet and tart varieties is ideal)
• Sugar: Optional, depending on the sweetness of the apples
• Yeast: Cider yeast or champagne yeast (1 packet)
• Campden tablets: Optional, for sterilization (1 tablet per 5 gallons of juice)

Equipment

• Apple press or juicer
• Fermentation vessel: Glass carboy or food-grade plastic bucket
• Airlock and stopper
• Hydrometer: To measure sugar content (optional)
• Bottling equipment: Bottles, caps, and capper

Steps to Make Cider

1. Select and Prepare Apples

   • Choose a mix of sweet and tart apples for balanced flavor.
   • Wash the apples thoroughly to remove any pesticides or dirt.

2. Juicing

   • Use an apple press or juicer to extract the juice from the apples.
   • Collect the juice in a clean fermentation vessel.

3. Sterilization (Optional)

   • If using Campden tablets, crush one tablet per 5 gallons of juice and add it to the juice.
   • Let it sit for 24 hours to kill wild yeast and bacteria.

4. Add Yeast

   • After 24 hours, sprinkle the yeast over the juice. No need to stir.
   • If using a hydrometer, take a reading now to measure the initial sugar content.

5. Fermentation

   • Seal the fermentation vessel with an airlock.
   • Store it in a cool, dark place (around 60-75°F) for about 1-3 weeks.
   • Check for bubbling in the airlock, indicating fermentation is happening.

6. Secondary Fermentation (Optional)

   • After primary fermentation, you can transfer the cider to a clean vessel (racking) to remove sediment.
   • Allow it to ferment for another few weeks to a couple of months to develop flavor.

7. Bottling

   • Once fermentation is complete (no bubbles in the airlock), it’s time to bottle.
   • If you want sparkling cider, you can add a small amount of sugar (1/4 cup per 5 gallons) before bottling to carbonate.
   • Use clean bottles and cap them well.

8. Aging

   • Store the bottles in a cool, dark place for at least a few months to allow flavors to mature.

9. Enjoy!

   • Chill the cider before serving. Enjoy your homemade traditional cider!

Tips

• Experiment with different apple varieties for unique flavors.
• Keep everything as clean as possible to prevent contamination.
• Patience is key; good cider takes time to develop its flavors.

Feel free to ask if you have any questions or need more specific advice!