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Juice or Cider for Cysers?

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Nysrock

Nysrock

NewBee
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Mar 13, 2010
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Lansing, MI
I see a lot of people talking about using apple juice and wanted to know if apple cider can be used instead. Reason I ask is there is a Cider Mill near me that sells unpasteurized cider that I was thinking of using. I figure that kind of cider would help the apple flavors come through as I'd like to add some spices to make it more of an apple pie mead.
 
akueck

akueck

Certified Mead Mentor
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Jun 26, 2006
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Ithaca, NY
Ah, the perennial semantics debate about cider and juice.

If it's squeezed apples, you can ferment it. Call it cider, call it juice, whatever. In Europe, "cider" means fermented juice. In the US, "cider" lost that meaning during Prohibition and now usually refers to cloudy juice. Now we have "hard cider" which just doesn't make any sense and "soft drinks" for the temperate crowd.

Anyway, yes you can use cider. The cloudy stuff will drop out of suspension after fermentation is done.
 
Nysrock

Nysrock

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Mar 13, 2010
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Lansing, MI
Thanks for the quick response. I currently have 7# of honey at home and was going to use some for some blood orange melomel so I think I'll use the rest for a cyser. Since I have been only doing 1 gal batches to try things out I believe that should be enough. I'll sit down tonight and write out my proposed recipes to post for comment.
 
Medsen Fey

Medsen Fey

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Nysrock said:
I Reason I ask is there is a Cider Mill near me that sells unpasteurized cider that I was thinking of using.
Click to expand...

Unpasteurized cider tends to ferment spontaneously unless treated with preservatives like sorbate. You may want to make sure they aren't adding preservatives (one sign that they are not is that they would keep it refrigerated). If they are using preservatives, you might ask them for a batch without them added or else you'll have great difficulty fermenting it.

Edit - Cool song. Maybe we can make it the official GotMead theme. Lol!
 
Nysrock

Nysrock

NewBee
Registered Member
Mar 13, 2010
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Lansing, MI
As far as I know there is nothing but cider in their jugs. I think they get around the pasteurization laws by only selling it at the orchard. You can actually watch them press the apples and fill the jugs before buying it. And they do keep it all refrigerated.
 
akueck

akueck

Certified Mead Mentor
Certified Mead Mentor
Jun 26, 2006
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Ithaca, NY
I must visit this place. I love unpasteurized cider! Wish it was easier to find....
 
Nysrock

Nysrock

NewBee
Registered Member
Mar 13, 2010
42
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Lansing, MI
akueck said:
I must visit this place. I love unpasteurized cider! Wish it was easier to find....
Click to expand...

It is called Uncle John's Cider Mill in St.Johns, MI. And it does taste great!;D

I always head there during the fall for a few gallons and some of their fresh made donuts. After drinking this you'll never want any of that pasteurized cider sold in stores again.

On a side note: Take some of this cider and add some spiced rum and whole cinnamon sticks and heat it up in a microwave or stove and it makes for a killer winter warmer!:eek::cool:
 
PitBull

PitBull

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Nov 25, 2009
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Pittsburgh, PA
Apple Jack's!

Nysrock said:
On a side note: Take some of this cider and add some spiced rum and whole cinnamon sticks and heat it up in a microwave or stove and it makes for a killer winter warmer!:eek::cool:
Click to expand...
Side note #2. Take some fresh cider and add Jack Daniel's and whole cinnamon sticks and heat it up in a microwave or stove and it also makes for a killer winter warmer - an Apple Jack!

I'll surely have to try cider with the spiced rum come late fall. Thanks!
 
M

meadmonkey

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Apr 22, 2009
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Indiana
Hard cider is an old friend, was first experience in fermentation and drinking. Growing up in southern Michigan helping work the cider presses I always(and still do) have access to the best fresh pressed heirloom apples cider, and thus the best cider for fermenting. A method that I found works really well is add the apples during primary and backsweeten with cider from the same trees. Family recipe is a secret but I can let that nugget of wisdom out...
Happy Mazing
 
Nysrock

Nysrock

NewBee
Registered Member
Mar 13, 2010
42
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Lansing, MI
Thanks. I will have to remember that.;D

Now I just have to decide to wait for cider season and get some fresh or buy some now that has been frozen by them. Of course I could always do it both ways and compare them.
 
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