Expert: Paul Wagner - 8/13/2006

Question
I have a apple tree in my yard and I was wondering if you can make apple cider from scratch with my apples and if yes how?

Answer
Hi Jamie:

Yep, this is pretty easy.  The first step is to pick the apples when they are really, really ripe:  just ready to fall off the tree.  Then you will need to crush them somehow.  This is the hardest part.  Grapes can be crushed with your bare feet, but you will need a stronger force than that.  For small lots, you can use a blender or food processor, but for larger lots, you may have to rent or buy an apple press.  Once you have most of the juice out of the apples, just add brewer's yeast and let it ferment.  You might want to add some sulfites, to keep the color fresh and the flavor bright. It will come out very dry, and should have the flavor of ripe apples.  

If you want to live dangerously, try to bottle it in Champagne bottles with crown caps just before it finishes fermenting....and you should end up with some nice sparkling cider.  You may also end up with a few exploding bottles, so be careful.  

There are some good books on home wine and beer making, and the process for cider is very similar. But don't be afraid. People were making cider long before Louis Pasteur even knew about yeast...they just made apple juice and let it ferment.  If you keep it clean, it will taste pretty good.

Paul Wagner