Category: Cider

If you’re curious about the differences between applejack and calvados, you’ve come to the right place. Both applejack and calvados are popular wines (brandies) distilled from fermented apples – applejack from the US (Pennsylvania) and Calvados is French (Normandy). The difference in origin naturally also implies a difference in the apple cultivars used, and whereas…

If you are making cider at home, you may be wondering if you should stir it while fermenting. The answer is: it depends! Generally, for small portions of pure apple cider (below 10 gallons), there is no need for stirring. However, for very large fermentation tanks where natural diffusion of nutrients may be limited or…

Making your own cider is a simple process. It only requires some simple equipment and a few steps. For small batches, the best way to grind apples for cidermaking is using a cider mill, but you can even use an electric kitchen blender or juicer. For larger commercial-sized batches, you will need to use a…

Many people enjoy making apple cider and hard cider at home which is easier than you might think. In recent years, there has been growing concern that making anything harder than hard cider is considered illegal.  If you’re curious about how the law applies to naturally making cider drinks at home, you’ll want to find…

There are numerous ways to store hard cider once fermented, and the best method depends on your specific needs. Once your cider has been bottled, it needs to be stored in a cool, dark place and in proper airtight containers. Cider stored properly will last everything between 1 to 10 years depending on the alcohol…

Fermented cider, hard cider, or just “cider”, is a spectacular drink made from the juice of apples or pears that have been processed by microorganisms in a container without oxygen. This process of cider fermentation involves the breakdown of nutrients in the juice, which leads to the release of somewhat smelly chemicals. These aromatic compounds…