Got an orchard in my new house and we are throwing away a lot of apples and pears. Just thought i could use them to make my own cider. Does anyone know how difficult it is to do and if its not to bad is it actually worth it. Does it taste like cheese?
2006-09-18 00:58:08 · 8 answers · asked by JIggy 1 in Food & Drink ➔ Beer, Wine & Spirits
We've had this question before, you might want to search for it to get detailed bewing instructions.
Essentially you:.
pick the apples, any old variety ( don't wash them )
Chop/chrush and mush
put them in a fermenting bin
heat to 19-24 degrees C
They will ferment.
Bottle, leave for a year - drink id during next summer.
Is it worth it you ask ? well its free and tastes better than anything on the market.
2006-09-18 01:43:58 · answer #1 · answered by Michael H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it does not taste like cheese. If you've never tasted cider (which I'm guessing you haven't by the question) I would recommend buying a commercial cider so you know what it's like...if you embark on the cider making adventure, it would be fair to know what it tastes like so you can tell if you got it right.
If you have sufficient quantity to press into 5 gallons or more of apple juice, then I'd say go for it. If it's less, it could be a fun experiment, but the rewards won't offset the effort and expense put in.
Google search local home brewing suppliers in your local area and they'll set you up with what you need to get your cider going. Pear cider (perry) works about the same way.
2006-09-18 10:29:47 · answer #2 · answered by Trid 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This could be interesting - being a Brit, I think of cider as an traditional alcoholic drink, but I'm sure that in certain parts of the world (we won't say where, because we all know where I'm talking about and they get a bit paranoid at the best of times!) I think it refers to a freshly-pressed apple juice.
If we're talking proper 'scrumpy', then go for it - won't cost you a lot to make, it's something you get better at year after year (I make a lot of wines myself, blackberry season is here at last!), it's sort of fun and it should tatse pretty good. Depends on the apples though. Golden Delicious and Granny Smiths are just rubbish, if you've got Cox's or something like that, will be lovely and crisp and very appley. And alcoholic.
Don't forget that the peas can be used to make Perry, as well - sort of cider made from pears.
2006-09-18 08:53:45 · answer #3 · answered by BushRaider69 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When I have a surplus I take my apples to a local cider mill. They can press and bottle while you wait. I believe home cider presses are available - try Googling it.
Cider apples can be bruised or wormy, condition doesn't matter. But if you have decent apples or pears, make jelly! Making applesauce is easy too. Or give them away to friends and neighbors? Or take them to a local food pantry or soup kitchen? I hate to think of food going to waste!
Oh, and no - why would cider taste like cheese? It tastes like apples, of course!
2006-09-18 08:12:12 · answer #4 · answered by keepsondancing 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My mate got a 'Brewzer' home brew kit for lager last year. The finished product tasted terrible. He left it on top of a cupbored for a year and it turned into something like a kind of wine. You could get hold of a home brew kit and try like this but the results are never guaranteed. I think they sell wine brewing kits in Boots, I'm sure these could be adapted to make cider.
2006-09-18 08:10:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Really easy - just go on the web or find a good book or even pop down your local home brewing shop.
I made some last year and it was fantastic (12%).
Unless you have a huge amount of apples it's not worth doing financeally , but it is good fun.
2006-09-18 08:07:01 · answer #6 · answered by Mark G 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My Mother-in-law makes cider and wine all the time, and it tastes good.
If you have a lot of time on your hands, then I advise you to give it a try you might be good at it and make some money from it.
Sorry I can't be more help.
2006-09-18 08:02:48 · answer #7 · answered by samleigh40@btinternet.com 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a recipe book. Should be nice and easy
2006-09-20 13:19:24 · answer #8 · answered by tildypops 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋