Discussion
Seem pretty 'trendy' at the moment, and the OH likes the stuff so, seeing as we have an orchard in the garden, and the apples are just going rotten/being eaten by the birds, anyone know how to make cider or anything else good to do with apples please?

I think they are either Cox's or Cooking apples... Anyone know how to tell?
I think they are either Cox's or Cooking apples... Anyone know how to tell?
Cider should be the easiest alchohol to make (after mead), as apples are sugary by nature, and the fruit is plentiful in this country. Essentially, you just need to release/mash/press the juice, let it ferment, then bottle it to get something drinkable. There are plenty of websites telling you how to do it.
Me and a friend who has just moved into a house with over 10 apple & pear trees are going to make some next autumn. Apaprently its best to get a mix of sweet and high tannin (like crab) apples to give the cider good bite and sweetness. Don't expect it to be too fizzy - which is how cider should be.
In the meantime we are on the lookout for a cider/fruit press of a decent capacity, (in Devon, a friend is part of a co-operative who share the ownership of a press) and we're also looking for big plastic or glass containers for fermenting, and saving up old wine bottles for the finished product.
Me and a friend who has just moved into a house with over 10 apple & pear trees are going to make some next autumn. Apaprently its best to get a mix of sweet and high tannin (like crab) apples to give the cider good bite and sweetness. Don't expect it to be too fizzy - which is how cider should be.
In the meantime we are on the lookout for a cider/fruit press of a decent capacity, (in Devon, a friend is part of a co-operative who share the ownership of a press) and we're also looking for big plastic or glass containers for fermenting, and saving up old wine bottles for the finished product.
ali_kat said:
Sounds like hard work - next idea

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=trB5CSDmf1E
ali_kat said:
Seem pretty 'trendy' at the moment, and the OH likes the stuff so, seeing as we have an orchard in the garden, and the apples are just going rotten/being eaten by the birds, anyone know how to make cider or anything else good to do with apples please?

I think they are either Cox's or Cooking apples... Anyone know how to tell?
Easy to tell whether cox's or cooking - eat one! I think they are either Cox's or Cooking apples... Anyone know how to tell?

All you essentially need to do is extract the juice and then ferment it. The 'normal' way is to press it, but you can also do this using the wine technique and add some extra sugar for the extra alcohol strength.
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