Making Cider

I spent 2020 researching and tasting different ciders. My final project was to make my own cider. I decided to go with a company called Brewsy. This company allows you to take any juice and make it into wine/cider. Their basic kit comes with everything you need to make 3 batches and ranges in price from $39.99-59.99, depending on the current sale. I purchased Mott's Apple Juice 2 Quart Bottle, then I added extra sugar and a yeast package to the original container. Basic recipes and instructions are on their website. They also have some videos to help explain the airlock and rubber stopper. The mixture will need to ferment in a warm dark place, I put my bottle in a kitchen cabinet. After 3 days the cider is ready to move to the fridge. I placed the original cap back on but did not tighten as air bubbles need to release for the next 2 days. Finally you should rack the cider, slowly pour it into a new container, leaving the sediment in the old container. My Cider is waiting in my fridge for a special occasion. I hope it's good.

Eden Heritage Cider Review

 Another favorite, at 4 cans for $16.99 it's definitely worth it. The Heritage Cider Cans are a small batch made of Kingston Black, Mc Intosh, Empire, Bulmer's Norman and Gravenstein apples. They are pressed immediately after the autumn harvest. There is no added sugar, but a small amount of Eden-produced ice cider is added.

Woodchuck Pearsecco Hard Cider Review

 I tried Woodchuck Hard Cider Pearsecco hard cider. It was very dry and didn't taste like apple cider. I realize I'm not a fan of Pear Ciders. With 10+ varieties of cider, they are definitely worth another try.

Rekordedrling Mixed Berry Cider Review

 I tried Rekordedrling Mixed Berry Cider and was completely disappointed. This should not be allowed to call itself a cider, it taste more like artificial cranberry juice. The Rekordedrling brand is widely know to be one of the best cider producers in the world.  They are a Swedish brand which translates to  'Reliable, Trustworthy and Down to Earth' in English. Hmm, all I can say is it left a funny aftertaste in my mouth.

Brewery Ommegang Dry Cider Review

 Brewery Ommegang is one of my favorites for craft beer, located in upstate New York near the Baseball Hall of Fame. I highly recommend a weekend trip to take in both sites. It's not surprising that Ommegang jumped on the cider bandwagon with "Project Cider." They currently make 2 ciders, a Dry Cider and a Rose Cider. They use local McIntosh, Gala, Red Delicious and Pazazz apples.The pressed juices are then fermented with the same Belgian yeast used in their beers. While all that sounds great,  I was somewhat disappointed with the Dry Cider. It was definitely crisp but lacked a lot of apple flavoring, maybe too much of a good thing? I did notice their website said it goes well with soft, creamy cheese. I'm willing to try again and will get back to you with my pairing thoughts.

Downeast Cider Review

I tried Downeast Cider White, which is an unfiltered cider. As the upside down writing on the can reminds you, this should be shaken well before drinking. If you do pour the cider into a glass you will see that it is thick and cloudy. This was a fresh tasting cider with orange, lemon peel and a hint of coriander. It tasted great, very refreshing with fresh ingredients. I think it was a good blend with no one flavor being over powering. 

Champlain Orchards Cider Review

 I tried Vermont's Champlain Orchards Cidery variety pack. In order of taste the 4 pack comes with:

1- Mac & Maple- Pure Vermont maple syrup and mackintosh apples. This was a great, complex cider, unique tasting. This was my favorite (10 out of 10).

2-Original- Looks to be a mix of apples pressed from the Chaplain Orchards. Drinkable but doesn't taste like traditional ciders (6 out of 10).

3-Cranberry- Cider mixed with New England Cranberries. I thought this was too sweet.

4-Somerset - Dry cider made with heirloom English cider apples. I found it too dry, basically undrinkable.

Strong Bow Cider Review

I tried the Strong Bow Cider variety pack which has 4 cans  each of original, pear secco and rose apple. My favorite by far was the original, it was crisp and tasted fresh. Definitely reminded me of fresh apples. My least favorite was pear secco which I found really dry and dull tasting. The rose apple was sweet tasting and pink colored, this flavor is good for making mixed drinks. There are a couple recipes on their website of suggested mixes. Another plus with the variety pack is the 100 calorie slim cans which are great for those of us who are dieting.

Possmann Pure Cider Review

I tried Possmann's Pure Cider in Black Currant flavor. This was a complex cider that is also a rose, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Upon opening the bottle, the cider produces little bubbles that fizz to the top. It was fresh, crisp, refreshing with more of a black currant flavoring and apple cider aftertaste.

Possmann is a Germany company and has been making apple beverages  since 1881. This is from their website "The flavor comes from our unique source of apples which are harvested exclusively from our 800+ farmers in the Hessen region of Germany. Our typical framer has 3 to 15 naturally occurring apple trees on their land that are not part of a cultivated orchard. These country apples provide a uniquely rich apple flavor"

Pineapple Cider Review

I tried Austin Eastcider's Pineapple Cider. This was a fresh great tasting cider, I gave it an 8 out of 10. Like the name suggests it tastes like hard cider mixed with fresh pineapple juice. The only thing missing was that crisp kick, it just seemed a little watered down. The cider is much better cold and could even be served over ice. I like the pairing suggestions on their website; Al Pastor tacos, Spicy Indian dishes, and Caramel desserts.


I'm hoping to find an Austin Eastcider variety packs soon. They have over 10+ flavors and newly released hard seltzers.

 

Nine Pin Cider Review

Memorial Day weekend was the perfect time for me to try the Nine Pin Cider I had purchased a couple months ago at the farmers market in the Occulus.

First I tried the Cucumber Lime Light Cider. I could definitely taste the cider, cucumber and lime. In one word I would describe it as refreshing. It was light, crisp, with a kick and nice aftertaste. This is by far one of my favorites. Historically this type of light cider was known as ciderkin, and made by taking the leftovers from the apple press and soaking it in water. (4.3% ABV)

Next I tried the Earl Grey Hard Cider. It did smell like earl grey tea, and tasted like earl grey with mango/oranges. It reminded me most of drinking blue moon with an orange peel in it. This cider is actually aged on lemon peels, giving it the citrus flavor. (6.7% ABV)

Melovino Meadery - Apple Cider Mead

Melovino Meadery in Vauxhall New Jersey is one of my favorite places in NJ. I first visited for a tour and tasting. I enjoyed every single craft mead I tried. These guys have a knack for mixing and blending flavors. It's also worth noting the rustic, modern decor is great for pictures.

I found 3 apple cider mead on their website that I would like to try. I believe these are "cyser" mead.
All information has been taken directly from their website, I have yet to try these.

1- Hot For Teacher

Apple cider mead with fresh jalapenos (not spicy)

This apple cider mead variation takes a little soak on some fresh jalapeno peppers for a nice pop of fresh, green pepper character without any burn.

500ml @ 14% abv






2- Once Bitten Twice Dry

Off-dry apple cider mead

A delectable, light, crisp and refreshing apple mead, made with local apple cider with a special blend of light honey varietals. 

500ml @ 14% abv

3- Southern Apple

Bourbon barrel apple cider mead

We took our already fabulous Teacher’s Pet recipe to a whole other level by aging it for 12 months in oak barrels straight from Kentucky. 

Its like a sweet and sassy apple pie made with honey and a hint of southern hospitality. 

500ml @ 14% abv

What is Mead?

Mead is a fermented drink created with 3 ingredients. All mead starts with honey, yeast and water. The type of honey used determines the overall flavor of the mead. Mead can be flavored with various fruits, spices and herbs. Mead is alcoholic and has a higher alcoholic content then hard cider. Mead is not wine, beer, or cider but can taste like any of these.
Here are some various types of mead:
acerglyn- a mead made with maple syrup
bochet- a mead made with caramelized honey
camsicumal- mead flavored with chili peppers
metheglin- a mead with spices added
melomel- a mead that contains juice or fruit
cyser- an apple based mead
braggot- a mead and beer blend that is brewed with hops or barley
rhodomel - an ancient Roman mead made with roses
oxymel- mead made with vinegar
pyment- a mead with grapes or grape juice added to it
sparkling mead- a carbonated mead, usually made by adding a small about of honey or sugar right before bottling to cause a secondary fermentation to occur.

Winter Jack

Jack Daniel's has released a limited edition cider blend called "Winter Jack." It's a blend of Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 whiskey, apple cider liqueur and holiday spices. It can be consumed both straight and mixed. It can be served both hot or cold, and has been compared to an ice wine.

Recipe - Spiced Apple Rings

My mother used to make spiced apple rings when I was child. They are worth making for the aromatic smell alone. Aside from tasting great, these also go great with ice cream.

Ingredients

• 1 extra-large, tasty apple (Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Braeburn, and Fuji work well)
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp ground ginger
• 1/8 tsp ground cardamom
• pinch of ground cloves

 

 

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 225°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Core the apple and use a mandoline slicer to slice it between 1/8- and 1/4-inch thick. Place the apple slices in a large bowl.
3. Combine the spices in a small pinch bowl. Sprinkle the spices over the apple rings and use your hands to gently toss to coat.
4. Transfer the apple slices to the baking sheet. Bake the apples for 60–90 minutes, or until they’re dried and shriveled, but still tender.

Recipe from Oh My Veggies website
https://ohmyveggies.com/recipe-soft-chewy-spiced-apple-rings/

Save your apple seeds

If you save your apple seeds you can grow your own apple trees. The seeds will need to germinate first, so place them in a moist towel for six weeks and store them in the refrigerator. You should check on the seeds every week and add more water if the towel is drying out.
Since apple seeds have a low germination rate, you should plant 3 to 4 times more seeds then you would like to grow. Plant the seeds like you would any other plant. Keeping them warm and watering often. The tiny plant should emerge from the soil with in 2 weeks.
Once the trees grow to 6 inches in height they can be transported either to the ground or a large pot. It is suggested to plant them 20 feet apart, they will grow much taller and the roots will need the room. Disappointingly your trees will take an average of 8 years before bearing fruit, but once they do they will continue for their lifetime.

Field Trip - Ralston Cider Mill

You can visit a fully functional historic cider mill in Mendham, NJ. The mill was built in 1848, and has operated continuously even through prohibition. Today the mill operates as a museum and presses apples once a year. Visit their link below for more information.

Ralston Cider Mill
336 Mendham Road West
Mendham, NJ 07945
www.ralstoncidermill.org

Hours

May Sunday 1-5
September Sundays 1-5 (last 2 weeks)
October Saturday and Sunday 1-5

Admission
General Admission $5.00

Children 7 & under FREE

Wurstbar - Jersey City

I was online researching bars where I can try hard ciders in New Jersey. Wurstbar in Jersey City made the top of my list. Their cider menu currently has 40+ varieties of ciders listed. As a bonus they offer sausages and hot dogs like a traditional beer garden would.

Wurstbar 

516 Jersey Avenue

Jersey City, NJ 07302

(201)479-8396

Nine Pin Cider

I stopped by the weekly farmers market held in the Oculus World Trade Center. I love the variety of hard ciders being offer from Nine Pin Cider. They do offer the signature cider in both alcoholic and non alcoholic. I purchased the hard "Early Grey Cider" and the hard "Cucumber  Lime Cider." At $3.25 a can, I think it's a great deal. Tasting notes will follow in a future post, I am saving them for a special occasion.

Samascott Orchards

Every Tuesday the Oculus host an all day farmer's market. I stopped by recently to check out the fresh apples. I was pleasantly surprised when I got to Samascott Orchards' booth. They make a variety of ciders. They also offer apple cider donuts, muffins, pies and cakes. There is a fresh selection of over 10 varies of apples, which changes from week to week.

CAMRA

CAMRA is an acronym for "The Campaign for Real Ale." They are a European non for profit founded in 1971, for ale enthusiasts. 


There mission is to promote:

• the production, availability and consumption of quality real ale, cider and perry
• pubs and clubs as social centers and part of the UK’s cultural heritage
• the benefits of responsible social drinking 

They also give annual awards for the best cider & perry and best cider pub in the UK. If you are planning a trip to the UK and looking for ciders, please check out their list.

https://camra.org.uk/press_release/camra-unveils-10-cider-pubs-to-quench-your-thirst-this-summer/

What is a Cider House?

We've all heard of the movie "The Cider House Rules", so what exactly is a cider house? A cider house is an establishment that sells cider for consumption on premise. Traditionally a cider house was a room in the farm or family cottage, where local cider was both made and sold. Most cider house were found in small towns and rural settings, usually with an adjacent orchard.

Recently cider houses are opening in major cities across the country. Hard apple cider is currently the fastest growing segment of alcoholic beverage production in the US.

Trader Joe's

When I think of Trader Joe's,  I automatically think of fresh/organic foods.  Naturally I was curious about what apple cider products were available.

Here are my results from their website.

Cider Shots? Is that a thing?

I can't wait to try this recipe for spiced apple cider jello shots.  Follow this link for the complete recipe.

https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/spiced-apple-cider-jelly-shots/

What types of Apples are used for Cider

Cider production in the United States dropped in the early 1900's for a variety of reasons, mainly beer being easier to transport, the rise of cities, railroads and immigrants from "beer"drinking countries. With the decline of apple cider, the production of cider apples also declined. There are over 7,500 varieties of apples know to exsist. Traditionally used for  ciders include gravensteins, newtown pippins, rome beauties, winesap, cox pippin, crab and roxburry russet.

Types of Hard Cider

Researching hard cider has enlightened me to the existence of different types of cider. Here is a small list of some, but not all of them.

Ice Cider from Quebec which is cider made from the juice of frozen apples.
Perry which is fermented pear juice.
Calvados which is a type of brandy made from distilled cider, either apple or pear.
Pommeau which is made from mixing young Calvados and fresh apple juice.
Cidre bouche is corked hard cider.
Hopped cider is an American invention, where hops are added to finished cider.

What is cider?