Topic: cider making qusetion......

[pjb]

I want to try making cider this year, I have access to a lot of windfalls, mostly dessert types but also some cooking and crab apples. Could anybody tell of an easy way to make palatable cider without too much equipment? Any advice/tips, links etc.. would be great, thanks.

[cleo]

I think you will have to consider some initial expense-a crusher and press are more or less essential if you are making more than a glassful.


I have a `vigo` that has lasted for years and years. I don`t make alcoholic drinks these days but fresh apple juice is wonderful.

For a decent `cider` look at a few recipes-you need a blend of sweet,tart and a touch of bitter-so try a mix of `eating``cooking` and a few crab apples-you seem to have those so give it a try

[Theplotthickens]

We first made ours with a liquidiser and a hired press from a local homebrew shop, however for a small outlay you can adapt some timber an old work top and a car jack into a press and use a strong bucket and a short piece of fencepost to mash the apples.
As above get as many different varieties as possible to produce a nice smooth cider  :)