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There are few things more autumnal than a glass of freshly made apple cider. Here’s a guide on how to make it the right way, with the perfect balance of sweet and tart.
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Introduction
Apple cider is a fall favorite, and there are many ways to enjoy it. You can drink it straight, make a cider cocktail, or use it in cooking. But how do you make perfect apple cider?
There are two types of apple cider: sweet and hard. Sweet cider is made with apples that have been crushed and then pressed to extract the juice. It is typically pasteurized, which means it has been heated to kill any harmful bacteria. Hard cider is made by fermenting the juice of apples, and it can be either still or carbonated.
To make the perfect apple cider, you will need:
-A blend of apples: Choose a mix of sweet and tart apples for the best flavor. Granny Smith apples are good for tartness, while Golden Delicious add sweetness.
-Cider press: This will help you extract the juice from the apples. You can also use a food processor or blender, but a press will give you the most juice with the least amount of effort.
-Cheesecloth: This will be used to strain the pulp from the juice.
-A clean container: A glass jar or bottle works well for storing your finished cider.
Once you have all your supplies, follow these simple steps make apple cider
1) Wash your apples thoroughly and cut them into quarters. There is no need to remove the seeds or cores – they will be filtered out later.
2) Place the quarters in your cider press and extract the juice. If you are using a food processor or blender, place the apples in those appliances and pulse until they are finely chopped. Then, wrap them in cheesecloth and squeeze out as much juice as possible.
3) Pour the juice into your clean container and store in the refrigerator until cold.Apple cider will keep for up to two weeks in the fridge – after that, it start to turn brown and develop off flavors. If you want to keep your cider longer than that, you can freeze it in individual servings so you can thaw and enjoy it all winter long!
benefits of Apple Cider
There are many benefits to drinking apple cider, including its ability to improve digestion, relieve constipation, and increase weight loss. Apple cider is also said to boost the immune system, reduce inflammation, and fight against bacterial infections.
The Right Way to Make Apple Cider
Apple cider is a delicious fall drink that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. When made the right way, apple cider is a refreshing and healthy beverage. However, many people make apple cider with store-bought apple juice, which can be loaded with sugar and preservatives. If you want to make the best apple cider, you need to start with fresh apples.
Step One: Choose the Right Apples
There are two types of apples you can use to make cider: eating apples and cooking apples. Eating apples, as you might guess, are the type you’d want to eat out of hand. They’re tart and juicy, with a thin skin. Braeburn, Honeycrip, and Rome Beauty are all good examples of eating apples. Cooking apples, on the other hand, are tarter and mushier, with a thicker skin. Granny Smith, Jonathan Apples, and Northern Spy are all good examples of cooking apples.
You can use either type of apple to make cider, but the best cider is made with a mix of both types. The eating apples will give the cider its sweetness, while the cooking apples will give it its tartness and body. Aim for a mix of about 70% eating apples to 30% cooking apples.
Step Two: Cut the Apples into Small Pieces
After you have gathered your apples, wash them thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris. Once they are clean, cut the apples into small pieces. You can do this by hand or with a food processor. If you are using a food processor, make sure to not overdo it or you will end up with apple puree instead of small pieces.
Once the apples are cut into small pieces, put them into a large pot or container. If you are using a pot, make sure it is big enough so that the apples can fit with some room to spare. This will help prevent the apples from burning when they are cooking.
Step Three: Add the Apples to the Juicer
Now it’s time to add the apples to the juicer. If you’re using a manual juicer, you’ll need to cut the apples into quarters or eighths. If you’re using an electric juicer, you can leave them whole.
Once all of the apples are in the juicer, turn it on and let it do its thing. Depending on the size of your batch, this could take anywhere from five minutes to half an hour.
When the juicing is done, you should have about a gallon of cider. If you want, you can strain it through a cheesecloth or coffee filter to get rid of any sediment.
Step Four: Add Water and Sugar
Now it’s time to add water and sugar. The ratio of sugar to water is completely up to you and your taste preferences. A good rule of thumb is to start with one cup of sugar for every gallon of cider. You can always add more sugar later if find the cider isn’t sweet enough.
once you’ve added the sugar, give the cider a good stir until all of the sugar has dissolved. If you’re using a hot plate or stovetop, turn the heat back on to medium-low and let the cider come back up to a simmer.
Step Five: Let the Mixture Sit
Now that you’ve combined all of the ingredients, it’s time to let the mixture sit. This step is important because it allows the flavors to blend together and develop.
Cover the pot or slow cooker and let the cider sit for at least an hour, but preferably longer. If you’re using a slow cooker, you can let it sit on the warm setting for up to four hours.
After the cider has had time to sit, taste it and see if it needs more sugar or spice. If so, add more to taste. Then, serve the cider hot, garnished with a cinnamon stick or apple slice if desired. Enjoy!
Conclusion
Now that you know the basics of how to make apple cider, it’s time to get started on your own batch. Be sure to sterilize all of your equipment beforehand, and be sure to use fresh, ripe apples for the best flavor. Once you’ve made your cider, be sure to store it in a cool, dark place. And most importantly, enjoy!
