#cider making

[aflockofseacows]

BATCH 6

A mouse had found the apple stash so I figured I should hurry and prepare this batch before I lose any more apples. I assume he'll be sad tonight when he sees that the motherlode of food is gone.

Here's the meadowsweet I picked and dried this summer. It's a sweet vanilla-ish herb that has been used in mead for centuries. The "meadow" in the name used to refer to mead rather than meadows. Mead-sweet or Mead-wort. I put it in a hop bag and left it in the must while I pasteurised it. I have no idea how much or how long is correct. We'll see.

Ca 30% Stoke Tulip and 70% Åkerholm.

[ironcowboyphantom]

Second cider batch bottled

Still using the quick cider recipe from my manager and whatever janky bottles i have around, but my brother lent me an airlock to use with the glass mason jar. This one is made with apples from a tree up the street from my moms house - they dont seem to pick any of them, and the apples are crisp and sweetish. Not a heritage variety I dont think.

The first batch came out pretty well, all the smaller bottles have been drunk or given away. Im saving the big 4L to age it a bit longer and see if i can get the sweetness down a bit.

[zuhatagcider]

Préselés 2023.11.22.

[venusmage]

More high lesbian antics involving food

[homesteadsissies]

Bottling at night was quite an experience, involving hauling heavy buckets around in the dark, using flash lights, and working by rather dim light in the bunkhouse. We all joked that we felt a little like bootleggers. We come by it naturally after all -- it's part of how our great-great-grandpa Thomas Roland Mills and his sons provided for their families during prohibition.

[some-minor-inconvenience]

first time making cider 👀

very excited to see how it turns out

shoved him in the closet with my boyfriends significantly less janky setup

[teepeecider]

After posting about this iconic painting a few months ago it was great to see it for real in the “Met” Museum in New York. Painted by William Mount in 1840. Cider Making is a scene from Setauket on Long Island where he was born and lived. William Sidney Mount is most famous for his New England snow scenes. Apt as we had walked to the Met through a cold sunny snowy Central Park. Wonderful #painting #cider #cidermaking #TheMet #MetropolianMuseum

[home--farm]

I decided to have a spin down some old roads looking for apples to scrump. Didn't find any but I did find a sign attached to a small barrel that just said "open". I followed the track down past 700 apple trees and a market garden, to a brand new cidery. Had a flight, bought a few bottles right from the cask, and had a bit of a wobbly ride home.

Now that was a good bike ride.

[universalinfo]

Behind Every Bottle Lies the Craft Cider Phenomenon

Nestled amidst nature's bounty, the cider garden has become a beacon for beverage enthusiasts, setting the stage for a drink that's capturing hearts and taste buds worldwide: craft cider. If the idea of sipping on a finely crafted drink with a story behind every drop intrigues you, keep reading. Dive with us into the effervescent world of craft cider and discover what makes it an unparalleled sensation.

The Basics of Craft Cider

When we talk about craft cider, we're not just referring to another alcoholic drink. We're talking about an experience. Craft cider is the culmination of patience, tradition, innovation, and most importantly, a deep-rooted passion. Unlike its mass-produced counterparts, which often prioritize volume and shelf stability, craft cider is about authenticity. Each batch is a testament to the cider maker's dedication, with individual nuances celebrated rather than standardized.

But what truly makes a cider 'craft'? Beyond the artisanal approach, it's the insistence on quality ingredients. There's a conscious effort to select the best apples, sourced either from their own orchards or trusted local growers. Additionally, the fermentation methods adopted are often more traditional, allowing the natural flavors to shine through without the interference of additives or excessive carbonation.

Unveiling the Cider Garden's Secrets

The heart and soul of any authentic craft cider lie in its cider garden. This is where the tale truly begins. Envision vast expanses of orchards, with apples basking in the sun, maturing to perfection. Each cider garden has its signature, influenced by factors like soil quality, climate, and apple variety. This means that apples from one cider garden might have a completely different flavor profile compared to another.

Furthermore, a cider garden isn't just a place of cultivation; it's a space of reverence for nature and its bounties. Many cider makers maintain sustainable practices, ensuring that they give back to the land as much as they take. This symbiotic relationship with nature not only ensures a richer taste but also promotes a healthier ecosystem.

Exploring the Multitude of Varieties

As with wines, the variety of apples plays a pivotal role in the taste of the cider syrup. Each cider garden, with its unique set of apple varieties, contributes to the rich tapestry of craft cider flavors available in the market. Some ciders may tickle your taste buds with their sharp tartness, while others might envelop your palate with a smooth sweetness. Yet others offer a harmonious blend, striking just the right balance.

It's not just about apple varieties, though. The way the apples are harvested, and stored, and even the time of year they're picked can influence the final product. For the curious consumer, this means that there's always something new to discover, a fresh flavor to unravel, a novel experience waiting just around the corner.

With this foundation, as we venture further into the world of craft cider, it becomes evident that there's so much more to this drink than meets the eye. Craft cider isn't just a beverage; it's a narrative of nature, care, and creativity, waiting to be sipped and savored.

Production: The Art and Science Behind Every Bottle

Transforming apples into an intoxicating beverage isn't as simple as it might seem. Craft cider production is an intricate dance of science and intuition, passed down through generations or innovated by ambitious cider makers. The first step involves crushing the mature apples to extract their flavorful juice. This juice, laden with natural sugars, becomes the base for fermentation.

The fermentation process is where the true alchemy happens. Employing natural yeasts, sometimes with a helping hand from cultivated strains, the sugar in the apple juice is converted into alcohol. But it's not just about letting nature take its course. The choice of fermentation vessel, be it oak barrels, stainless steel tanks, or traditional clay pots, can impart distinct characteristics to the cider. The duration of fermentation and the careful monitoring of temperature also play crucial roles in determining flavor, aroma, and mouthfeel.

Cider Garden: The Heart of Community Engagement

The cider garden evolves beyond just being a production site; it often becomes a vibrant focal point for communities. In many regions, cider makers are opening up their gardens to the public, offering immersive experiences. From witnessing the apple blossoms in spring to participating in harvest festivals in autumn, visitors get a firsthand look at cider-making.

Tasting sessions held in these gardens offer enthusiasts a chance to savor craft ciders right at the source. Imagine sipping a freshly made cider while overlooking the very orchard where its apples grew! This connection between the drink and its origins enhances appreciation and provides a memorable experience.

Pairing Craft Cider with Delectable Dishes

Craft cider's versatility shines when it comes to food pairings. Its spectrum of flavors, from sweet to tart to effervescent, complements a wide array of dishes. A dry cider can perfectly balance the richness of creamy cheeses or the fatty goodness of pork dishes. On the other hand, a sweeter cider can be the ideal counterpoint to spicy Asian dishes or even serve as a delightful companion to desserts. For more details visit us at https://www.champlainorchards.com/.

Visits to cider gardens often provide opportunities to indulge in curated food and cider pairing experiences. Here, the harmonious interplay of flavors is showcased, elevating the dining experience to new heights.

Being Part of the Craft Cider Renaissance

There's no denying that craft cider is experiencing a renaissance. This resurgence isn't just about savoring a drink but is also a nod to authenticity, tradition, and a connection to the land. As cider gardens proliferate and more artisans throw their hats into the ring, there's an ever-growing array of choices for consumers.

Conclusion

Craft cider, with its enthralling blend of tradition and innovation, beckons all to partake in its delights. It is more than just a drink; it’s a testament to the dedication of those who cherish authenticity. From the nurturing soil of the cider garden to the skilled hands of the cider maker, every step contributes to the drink's unique character. As the craft cider movement continues to flourish, one thing remains certain: each sip is an invitation to celebrate nature, craftsmanship, and community. So, the next time you find yourself with a glass of craft cider, take a moment to appreciate the story it holds within. Cheers!

Read More:

Delights of Cider Garden Visits

[housecow]

i need more sweaters/tops that cinch at my waist but i have to try them on irl bc there’s a good chance they’d basically just be a bra 😭😭

[cidandy]

OK DELTARUNE CHAPTER 3 SPOILERS but i'm already coming up with uh..i guess it's a headcanon? ANYWAYS proceed with caution.

OK SO obviously, tenna & spamton do know each other in some capacity for sure. i still have no clue how but for some reason, spamton specifically (& i guess seam kind of too?) knows people from various other dark worlds.

from the vibes i get, i think they totally worked together during spamton's "big shot" era. & they were probably quite close (haven't decided if i like to think of it as a yaoiful thing or like. tenna being an older brother figure or something.) i imagine that tenna has a lot more experience with "fame" or whatever, especially in the past since CRTs like tenna are quite old, an idea that is addressed in game.

also, this is backed up by tenna saying someone (i assume spamton based on context) was going to teach him how newer technology works & he cried about not understanding emails LOL

BUT LIKE. taking all this into consideration, my personal headcanon (which i think is super cute :^)) is that tenna met spamton...somehow when he first started making it big & they sort of worked together! tenna would do the regular TV programs & shows & then spamton would appear in like...the TV ads :^) & i think tenna would probably have to teach spamton how to present on television & things like that since he's new to it &, in return, i think spamton promised to teach tenna about the newer tech in the cyber world. but tenna feels betrayed because spamton just sort of...disappeared. from his perspective, he probably had no idea about spamton being evicted & forced to live in the dumpster. so now tenna feels abandoned & confused by the sudden loss of his business partner. & i think he personifies his fear of abandonment as spamton because of this (like the "my biggest hater" thing in the susiezilla game.)

from spamton's point of view, he might feel betrayed (as we see from the way he talks about tenna in the sweepstakes) because tenna- much like the addisons- didn't really bother to help or look for spamton when he disappeared. he lost everyone all at once. tenna was one of the last people he had left since the addisons stopped talking to spamton when he first became successful. it explains the way he talks about mike too. (omg. this wasn't an original part of the theory but what if spamton feel like mike replaced him or he feels jealous of his dynamic with tenna or something :^O??? just an extra angsty cherry on top.) despite how irrational it is, since spamton never really made it clear what was going on with him & his "helper" on the phone, he still wishes somebody would've noticed & cared enough to help him out. maybe just subconsciously. i think he hides his feelings about it though anger & an unforgiving attitude towards the people he thought he could trust. ogufhfh

there's not a whole lot of merit to this, but a detail i noticed almost immediately was the tenna's suit has the same colors as spamton's during his big shot era! (as seen in this piece of fangamer merch, he is wearing a red suit with a yellow tie.) & i think this supports the idea that they were a duo at some point & i bet tenna (since he likes to live in the past) never changed his outfit. but omg imagine if they matched suits when they were working together ISN'T THAT SO CUUUUTE??? sorry i'm really normal about this.

i think that's all i have right now. feel free to add on or correct anything :^)

[aflockofseacows]

Batch 4!

I picked the rest of the astrakan apples today. A little late, I think. The apples have a very short "shelf life" once they're ripe. You only have a couple of weeks to pick them. Many of them cracked after a huge rainstorm a couple weeks ago too.

Pulped them today, resulting in 56 kg of pulp which should give about 25 litres of juice. Since all the fermenters are in use atm, I'll pour the must into 10l bottles, stabilize them and store them for later. I can only fit 19l into each batch, meaning I already have enough apples for 6 litres of Bjor! Anything after this is a bonus.

Turns out, quite a lot of the apples on the west astrakan tree have water core. I found this beauty. I wonder, is this why the single variety cider from that tree was so good last season? I reckon it is.

[not-the-living-ghost]

RIP Monty Finch you would’ve loved snow

[shoku-and-awe]

A festive afternoon of treats with A+ human @todayintokyo! Thank you for your endless patience with my gripes, and for knowing all the best places and being the best company to enjoy them with! I hope that your stollen and the rest of your 2024 are everything that you wished they would be!

[0m3n-0f-d3ath]

🍃🍁M.J

In some fall outfits 🍁🍃

[torturedbitchesdepartment]

the virgin inventing anna (paid anna delvey $320,000) vs the chad apple cider vinegar (belle gibson was not consulted and will not be receiving any of the profits)