Apple Wine, also known as Cider is a very popular alcoholic drink made of fermented apple juice. Nowadays, apple ciders refer to the non-alcoholic beverage made of apple juice that’s why to differentiate the alcoholic from the non-alcoholic drink, apple wines are usually referred to as Hard Cider.

Aside from causing merriment though intoxication, Ciders or Apple Wines have or provides health benefits as well. Apples by the fruit itself contains phenolics and antioxidants but when converted or fermented into apple wines, the substance or beverage may contain a higher concentration of phenolics and antioxidants. These phenolics and antioxidants are good for the body since antioxidants are well known to eliminate free radicals in the body. By doing so, the body becomes healthier. (Free Radicals are the usual causes of Cancer, Heart Disease and other illnesses)

Below, is a recipe for a homemade apple wine which is easy and simple to do. But, just like all other wines, Apple Wines will be laborious to produce but it will be much worth it:

Ingredients:

3 1/2 lbs Apples
2 1/2 lbs sugar
8 pts water
2 Lemons
1 Orange
1 tsp Yeast
Yeast Nutrients
Pectic Enzyme

Steps:

1) Wash , clean and remove stems of apples
2) Chop and dice (do not remove skin; core is optional) put in a nylon straining bag and squeeze juice out
3) Put in a primary and add water; cover primary with sterile cloth
4) Stir the mixture with a plastic spoon for seven days; always cover with a sterile cloth every after stirring
5) Take out straining bag with pulp; strain pulp until dry
6) Transfer the Must to a secondary fermentation vessel (strain the juice using the sterile cloth)
7) Add sugar, and washed lemon and orange juice and rinds; Stir until sugar is dissolved
Add yeast, nutrients and pectic enzymes; attach air lock
9) Set aside for four months
10) Rack to another secondary vessel and attach air lock
11) Repeat Racking process until apple wine becomes clear
12) When wine is clear, bottle the apple wine and let it age for six months to one year

Reminders:

• All tools and equipment to be used for making the apple wine should be sterilized to avoid spoilage of the wine
• For best results, the yeast to be used for wine fermentation is “Wine Yeast”, this will produce a higher alcohol content as compared to using baker’s yeast
• Pick out the best apples to produce high quality apple wine; a fully ripe apple will have a higher probability of producing good tasting wine as compared to an overripe or under ripe apples

Tags: alcoholic drink, antioxidants, apple, apple juice, apple wine, cider, fermented, hard cider, homemade, juice, phenolics, recipe, wine

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