Martha's Guide to Pressing Your Own Apple Cider
Our founder shares her method for making fresh apple cider from the fruit on her farm.
Each fall, Martha takes out a hand-crank apple press to turn the apples from her orchard into cider. Here she shares her process along with tips for apple cider pressing. The apple cider is her favorite fall drink, served icy cold on a gorgeous fall day. If you fancy making apple cider but don't have an apple press, we've included how you can whip up a batch of fresh apple cider without one (hint, a food processor comes in handy!).
Related: Use Fresh Apple Cider in This Fall Cocktail Recipe From Martha
The Apples
Homemade cider makes use of apples that aren't 100 percent perfect. A blemish or two is fine-just be careful not to use any that have spoiled or have rotten spots, because they will cause the juice to ferment too quickly.
For deep, nuanced flavor, Martha blends different types of apples together. The result is unfiltered and unsweetened, with no additives. For a gallon of cider, you'll need between 30 and 40 apples.
How to Press Apple Cider
1. Set up the cider press, and add a mesh bag to the bucket. Rinse the apples, and place several at a time in the rotating cylinder equipped with sharp teeth.
2. Start turning the wheel on the cylinder to grind the apples. As the apples are pulverized, the pulp will fall into the tub, which is also known as the hopper. Continue the process, adding more apples and turning the grinder.
3. Once the hopper is full of pulp, put the pressing plate down directly on top. Place a clean bucket beneath the downspout, and turn the handle clockwise to lower the screw onto the tub. This part can require some strength, so take turns!
4. Keep turning until every last drop is squeezed out. Skim off any froth that forms on top. Pour the cider into clean bottles, and refrigerate immediately.
How to Make Apple Cider Without a Cider Press
You can still make fresh apple cider if you don't have a cider press. You'll need:
? About 7 pounds of apples that have been washed and cored but are unpeeled.
And the following equipment:
Cheesecloth
Large colander
Food processor
Large pot
Heavy pot (like a Dutch oven)
Read the original article on Martha Stewart.
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