What is Cider?

Make Cider is a type of alcoholic beverage that traditionally uses apples. It is a refreshing, fruity beverage that is perfect to beat the heat on a hot day. Many commercial ciders are available, or you can make your own at home. Hard cider is made by fermenting apple cider with yeast. This process produces alcohol, and the finished cider will contain around 5-8% ABV.

Like wine, hard cider is an alcoholic beverage made by fermenting fruit juice, typically apples. The alcohol content of hard cider will vary depending on the brand and type of cider and how sweet or dry it is. The word “hard” is used to distinguish it between regular, non-alcoholic apple cider. 

How To Make Cider?

Making hard cider is a simple process that anyone can do with the right tools and ingredients. All you need is a clean, sterile brewing environment, some fresh apples, yeast, and sugar. Craft cider is becoming more popular every year, and it’s easy to see why. This refreshing beverage is easy to make at home, and it’s a great way to use up any extra apples you may have lying around.

The difference between cider and beer

As we mentioned, cider is made using apples, while beer is made using malt. Cider is also typically sweeter and lower in alcohol than beer. Popular in many countries, cider has a long history dating back to ancient times.

The history of cider

Did you know that the word “cider” comes from the Old French word cider, which in turn comes from the Latin word sicera? Well, now you do!

Cider has been around for centuries and is thought to have originated in England. In the United States, cider was popular during the Colonial era. Apples were plentiful, and cider was a safe alternative to water, which could often be contaminated.

Cider continued to be popular in America through the 19th century. Today, craft cider is enjoying a resurgence in popularity. Funnily enough, it is now the UK that is leading the way in craft cider production.

Fun fact: In the 15th century, Medieval folks were using cider as a form of currency.

How to make cider

Making hard cider is a simple process that anyone can do with the right tools and ingredients. You will need some fresh apples, yeast, sugar, and a clean brewing environment. The following steps will walk you through the process of making your own cider.

1. 1. Sanitize all of your brewing equipment. This is critical to prevent contamination.
2. 2. Press the apples to extract the juice. You can do this with a cider press or by using a juicer.
3. 3. Add the sugar and yeast to the apple juice and stir well.
4. 4. Cover the fermenting cider and let it sit for 2-3 weeks.
5. 5. After 2-3 weeks, bottle the cider and store it in a cool, dark place.
6. 6. Enjoy your homemade cider!

Making cider is a fun and easy process that anyone can do at home. All you need is some fresh apples, yeast, sugar, and a little bit of time. Follow the steps above to make your own delicious cider.

How to properly drink a cider

Check out these three tasting tips below on how to get the most out of your fruit-flavored experience:

1. 1. Don’t drink ice-cold cider. 
   Extreme cold masks aromas and flavors, especially in ciders fermented from traditional tannic apples. Similarly to white wines, allow ciders to “open up” by taking them out of the refrigerator or ice chest and letting them sit at room temperature for 5 minutes. 
2. 2. Use the right glassware.
   Pour cider like wine! If you want to fully experience all a cider has to offer, pour it into a glass. Though good cider should taste good in any type of glass, we always recommend a wine glass if you have one. Reason being the shape of a wine glass affects how we experience aromas. 
3. 3. Try pairing cider with food.
   Light-bodied ciders have a delicate flavour and therefore compliments light and delicate foods well, like white wine! Those that are on the dry side and made from traditional tannic cider apples are great with meals and appetizers.
   While cheeses, oysters, crabs, pork knuckle and charcuterie are classic pairings, fish, burgers, pizza all make interesting combinations too!

The benefits of making your own cider

Did you know that making your own cider has some great benefits? For starters, it’s a great way to use up any extra apples you may have lying around. It’s also much cheaper than buying commercial cider, and you can control the sweetness and alcohol content to suit your taste. Let’s examine each in turn.

1. 1. It’s a great way to use up any extra apples you may have lying around.
2. 2. Cider is a refreshing, fruity beverage that is perfect for summertime drinking.
3. 3. It’s a simple process that anyone can do with the right tools and ingredients.
4. 4. Commercial cider are often expensive, so making your own can save you money.
5. 5. You can control the sweetness and alcohol content of your cider by adjusting the amount of sugar you add.
6. 6. Making cider is a fun project that you can do with friends or family.
7. 7. You’ll be able to impress your friends and family with your homemade cider!

Best Cider Brands

There are many commercial ciders available, and new brands seem to be popping up all the time. Here are a few of our favorites:

1. 1. Strongbow 
2. 2. Woodchuck
3. 3. Thatchers 
4. 4. Val de Rance 
5. 5. Magners
6. 6. Kerisac 
7. 7. Stella Artois Cider
8. 8. Samuel Smith’s Organic Cider
9. 9. La Chouette 
10. 10. Somersby

These are just a few of the many excellent cider brands available. Do some research to find the ones that you like best.

Conclusion

So now you know everything there is to know about cider and how good it is for health. Craft cider is a delicious, refreshing beverage that’s guaranteed to quench your thirst on a hot summer day. It’s also easy to make at home, so why not give it a try?
If you are too lazy to make your own craft cider, we got your back too! Check out our list of ciders and pick your favourite ones to enjoy with your friends and family!