Have you ever tried drinking a good cider? Taking a swig of some delicious cider drink will make you feel refreshed and experience a variety of complex flavors. Making your cider is a fun pastime and can also be a way to earn money. It is also a great way to make use of fruits sitting on your table. Moreover, drinking cider also brings plenty of health benefits.
If you are interested in making your own cider, we made a list of a few important things you should know.
What Cider Press To Use?
Cider Press will be an important factor in making your concoction. Deciding on a good cider press will be easy if you know all of the things to look for. As seen on https://www.simplyciderpresses.com/apple-cider-presses/, plenty of cider press models have grinders included for apples or any other fruit that needs to be properly crushed before pressing. If you want to do it manually, you can choose a cider press with no grinder. Price typically ranges from $150 to $1500 depending on the size, type, and brand you will choose. Research on what will be the type of fruit you intend on pressing and the quantity you want to make. Lastly, get one that will not break your budget.
How Will The Fermentation Process Work?
The hardest part of making your own cider is the fermentation part. If you don’t want your precious cider to go to waste, you should carefully do this process. There are plenty of ways to do the fermentation, but the easiest way is to sterilize it first to kill any kind of living yeast or microorganisms that could be harmful to the flavor of your cider. Measure the pH level of the juice, the typical pH should be around 3.2 to 3.7. Add sugar or any kind of sweetener like honey, glucose, white or brown sugar.
You can pitch the yeast right after, you need to let it sit for 24 to 48 hours in an airlock container like a bucket or carboy. The fermentation will be done seven to ten days. The fermentation process is tricky, so if you need more help with it, there are plenty of resources that you can check like books or a step by step video tutorial.
What Fruit and Variations Can I Make?
Aside from Apple Cider, there are plenty more fruits and variations you can create. You can try Strawberry and Lime, Wild Berries, Passion Fruit, Mango, and Pomegranate. If you want to try something new, you can opt for Elderflower, Rhubarb, or Coconut Cider. Different ingredients will create a variety of results and taste. You can use maple syrup or honey for more flavorful sweetness. You can also add spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves for more aromatic cider.
Making your cider is fun and easy. With the proper gear and ingredients, you can now start your cider journey. With time and effort, you can certainly perfect your concoction. Sooner enough, you can perfect your recipe and create delightful juices that you can share with your family and friends.
