Cider making 2015

Fullers Farmalls · Oct 12, 2015

We made a lot of cider yesterday. About 45 gallons.
We had lots of help. Well we had lots of bystanders.
My arms are killing me. That was a lot of pressing.
Enjoy the pics. Hope to post more once I get them
from others who were there.

Greg1959 · Oct 12, 2015

Fullers Farmalls- Thanks for the pics. I really like seeing stuff others do.

My next question, What do you use Apple Cider for? I looked it up and found that it only is good for a few days before spoiling. You can make 'hard' apple cider or make Apple Cider Vinegar other than that (I found a small blurb about boiling it down to make Apple Syrup) what else is it used for?

I'm just curious and in no way am I trying to disparage your work.

Fullers Farmalls · Oct 12, 2015

We give a lot away. Family and friends take most. I gave 15 gallons to a friend who brews great beer and he is going to return some to us as finished hard cider. We also can some just like apple sauce but it keeps it safe to drink long after. My dad makes vinegar also because he loves to cook with it and drink it when he is sick.

Greg1959 · Oct 12, 2015

Fullers Farmalls- Thanks for explaining it to me.

Frank Dodson · Oct 12, 2015

We make about 30 gallon annually. We fill plactic jugs approx. 3/4 full and freeze it. Take it out of the freezer and let it thaw completely and it is good as fresh made.

nh8260 · Oct 12, 2015

You can freeze it and use it during the year, I remember going to orchards years ago and getting apples and apple cider, back then it was put straight from the press in the gallon jugs, wasn't pasteurized like it has to be now!!

Greg1959 · Oct 12, 2015

Frank Dodson- Maybe I am missing something here and just don't seem to get it.

I look at Fullers Farmalls apples and I see pretty and full apples. Dang, I could peel and slice them to make a lot of stuff...Fried apples, apple pie, apple sauce, sulfured apples, apple fritters, dried apples, the list goes on. But to grind those purdy apples up to get juice seems such a waste. I can see doing that with the 'scrub' apples but, those crates full of nice apples...

Greg1959 · Oct 12, 2015

nh8260- What do you "use" it for?

Donald Lehman · Oct 13, 2015

Greg, you have one glass of fresh apple cider and you will understand. Apple juice as you buy it in the store is nothing but a shadow of the wonderful taste of pure apple cider. About the same as Mrs. Butterworth's compared to real maple syrup. Non-pasturized cider will start turning sharp in few days, turn hard in a few weeks and then turn to vinegar. If you freeze it before it starts to turn you can enjoy fresh sweet cider all year.

Not only that, the deer really like the mash. (wink)

WI Dan · Oct 13, 2015

(quoted from post at 09:46:06 10/13/15) Greg, you have one glass of fresh apple cider and you will understand. Apple juice as you buy it in the store is nothing but a shadow of the wonderful taste of pure apple cider. About the same as Mrs. Butterworth's compared to real maple syrup.

Ditto what Donald says. I long for a glass of REAL cider, cold pressed, unpasteurized...mmmmm!

Greg- with enough apples - all of the various uses can be enjoyed!

Fullers Farmalls · Oct 13, 2015

I should also mention we make apple butter and had already pulled those apple out of that group. Sometimes we can some slices for pie filling and what not. Depends on the mood we are in. This year most went to cider. Next year it'll probably be apple butter.

Bonnan · Oct 13, 2015

FF
Perfect timing what better to do in the Fall then make cider. Over the weekend the family picked about about 10 bushels and today I took them to the local Amish Cider Press setup. All natural and an interesting time. There is always a kind of festive atmosphere at the site and the grinding/press equipment is a mechanical engineer's dream. Of course we do the usual with the the juice but this year I would like to make natural apple cider vinegar. Can anyone give me some advice on vinegar making?

Greg1959 · Oct 13, 2015

WIWinterman- I think you solved my conundrum. I don't have excess available apples. That is why
it was hard for me to grasp just grinding nice apples up for their juice.

Thanks for a different point of view. Now, I understand.

WI Dan · Oct 13, 2015

Hang in there Greg! Just plant more trees

Apples are my favorite fruit, I'm accustomed to having an abundance.
This year we put up 60 quarts of applesauce, 20 pints of apple butter, and still have a fridge full of apples. The horses have been eating the rest, and some mighty nice ones at that!

Cider making 2015

Fullers Farmalls

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