Apple Cider Is Fun, Easy to Make at Home
Naturally Sweet, Non-Alcoholic Drink Can be Used for Holiday Toasts
Nov 2, 2009
Making apple juice is a fall activity the whole family can participate in, as well as enjoy the rewards: a glass of freshly squeezed juice. Making apple juice isn’t difficult, though it can be labor intensive depending on the equipment used. There’s a lot to do, from washing the apples to pouring the finished product into containers, so everyone is sure to find a task they’ll enjoy.
Start With Apples and a Press
At the minimum, cider makers will need a press. This is usually a cylinder-shaped with spaced individual slats. A bag, made of plastic burlap or cheesecloth, fits inside the press. A round board which fits inside the cylinder is placed on top of the bag full of apple chunks, and then hand-cranked down as far as possible, squeezing out streams of juice. This method is labor intensive as the apples need to be cut into chunks.
Some Cider Press Set-ups Include Motorized Chopper
More advanced cider presses may include a motorized chopper which chops the apples tossed into the hopper and pours them into the wooden cylinder. When the bag is full, it’s taken out from under the hopper, and then cranked by hand.
Cider presses alone start at about $50; fancier versions, which include a motorized grinder, can run upwards of $1,000. The advanced versions allow more apples to be processed more quickly. Families who drink apple juice year ‘round may find the equipment pays for itself in a couple of seasons.
Home-made Cider Can be Made with a Variety of Apples
Almost any kind of apples can be used to make juice. Some people may prefer a single type of apple, while others like juice made with a variety of apples. Fujis, Red and Golden Delicious, Empire, Winesap and Granny Smith can be combined to make a tasty cider. Varying the amounts of different apples will affect the taste.
Toast the Holidays with Juice in Wine Glasses
Pour freshly pressed cider into wine glasses to toast the season; it makes the drink look special. Or add a cinnamon stick and a couple of whole cloves to a mug full, and heat it in the microwave for a quick hot-spiced drink. Pour it over chicken and simmer for a deliciously sweet and fragrant-smelling dinner dish.
Home-made cider freezes well, and can be stored in thoroughly cleansed plastic milk jugs or purified water containers. Enjoying a tall, cool glass of juice on a hot summer day will bring back memories of cooler times.
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