Home made cider kits?

[MX-Si]

Hi All,

I've been thinking of making some home made cider using a kit, are they any good and how much hassle is involved in setting it all up?

[shirt]

no personal experience with cider but a friend who makes his own reckons its easier than homebrewing beer in that he gets a decent product each time with little hassle.

his apple wine is far better though, like a fruitier more potent cider.

[MX-Si]

Thanks Shirt (goes off to google apple wine...)

[shirt]

just look at basic winemaking as the method is pretty much the same for which ever fruit you use. apple was great, cranberry a close second, i hated the prune!

i have a basic kit myself but still not gotten around to it.

[alman]

Anyone know how good those really cheap ones are? they're usually about £15/20 n you literally just add water, maybe sugar I think. Always look quite interesting.

[diesel head]

Sorry for ressurecting an old thread but I am also looking into making some cider with this years apples and would love some tips if anyone has any.

[otolith]

I made cider last year, and will probably do it again.

You can't make really good cider without cider apples. If you don't have cider apples (and who does?) it's best to use a variety of apples to get a balance of acidity. All cooking apples will be too sour. All dessert will be too bland. What you will really miss is tannin, which is what cider apples provide. You could experiment with a proportion of crab apple or quince juice. There are things you can do later to adjust the flavour, but good to start with a decent mix.

Juicing with a domestic juicer is a nightmare. This year, I think I will spend 30 quid hiring a scratter (pulper) and a press for a day.