The Difference Between Apple Juice and Cider
Distinguishing One Apple Drink From the Other
Records indicate that drinking cider goes back to at least 55 BCE. At this time, the Romans had arrived in England and came across locals drinking cider beverages made from apples, according to the DrinkFocus.com article "The History of Apple Cider."
These days, however, it is common to see apple juice sold throughout the year. What then, is the difference between apple juice and apple cider? The answer, very basically, is that apple juice undergoes more processing than apple cider, which gives it a longer shelf life, allowing it to be consumer all year rather than just in a particular season like cider.
What is Apple Cider?
Apple cider is made by extracting the juice from a collection of apples. Apples are first ground or crushed into a pulp. The pulp is then put into cloth containers and pushed until all of the juice is collected. The result is apple cider.
Sometimes cider is pasteurized, but it does not have to be. According to the New York Apple Association, the "pasteurization process involves heating the freshly pressed cider to 160 degrees for a few seconds." This heat kills any bacteria that may have been present in the juice. After the cider is heated, it is cooled immediately so it does not have a "cooked" taste.
What is Apple Juice?
As AllAboutApples.com writes, "Apple juice has been filtrated, pasteurized, and vacuum sealed to give a longer lasting, clearer looking product." Oftentimes extra water is added to apple juice for flavor and clarity.
The USDA report, "World Apple Juice Situation," reports that in the 2003/2004 market year, global apple juice production reached 1.2 million tons with China as the #1 producer.
Hard Cider vs. Sweet Cider
In the United States, "apple cider" refers to the sweet drink described above, but the word "cider" was originally used to refer to alcoholic drinks. Outside of the U.S., "cider" still refers to the alcoholic variety whereas within the U.S., it is called "hard cider."
Hard cider actually has a significant place in United States history. The December 24, 2003 New York Times article "Ciders of the Times," writes, "In Colonial days, hard cider was the most popular beverage in North America, far more so than whisky, wine, or beer."
Making Homemade Apple Cider
It is not uncommon for people to make apple cider (both hard and sweet) at home. According to the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service's "Consumer's Guide to Making Apple Cider," making a homemade version of the drink is simple. Using kitchen appliances like a blender or food processor to turn washed cored apples into a pulp. Squeeze the pulp through a clean muslin cloth and collect the juice. Heat the juice to at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit and store in the refrigerator for immediate use.
Apple Juice is Less Processed Than Cider
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Apple Juice is Often Clearer Than Apple Cider
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