Homesteading Episode 3//Fermenting Apple Juice Part 2
video description
I brewed a lot of beer and did cider one time. My cider came out really dry, so like someone else said, next time I would look into one of several methods for ensuring there are still some sugars in the end product. I'm assuming you are sure that you have vinegar and not just super dry cider.
I'm actually pretty surprised that you got an infection in three separate containers, given that the apple juice was pasteurized. This probably means that the infection was caused by something you did. How did you dissolve the sugar into the cider? If you didn't pasteurize the sugar, that could easily be the vector that brought the bacteria. And definitely switch to airlocks so you don't have to open your fermenters during fermentation.
Regardless of how the bacteria got into the ferment, pitching a robust yeast starter into a ferment rather than just rehydrated yeast can give the yeast an advantage in the competition against bacteria during the ferment. Doing a yeast starter is a fairly easy way to get that yeast healthy and robust, but it does add an extra step and require minimal extra equipment. Do some research on it, but basically you are making a mini-batch of cider/beer/wine to build up the yeast culture. The main use is increasing the quantity of viable yeast cells for larger batches that require more than one packet of yeast, but if it is done right, it also conditions the yeast for the environment that they are going into.
As for using regular baker's yeast, you will definitely get cider, but that yeast has been cultured in a lab by people who know what they are doing to ferment sugars in an environment that is relatively dry and basic compared to the wet and acidic environment in cider. I think champagne yeast is the favored yeast for cider in the homebrewing world if I remember right. Is baker's yeast cheaper and will you get alcoholic cider? Yes to both, but spending a few bucks on appropriate yeast can make a big difference in your end product.
I second the use of starsan. It's a no rinse product, so do a little research on starsan don't fear the foam. I used it extensively and liberally and never got an infection in any beer I made. It foams up like crazy and a lot of people get wrapped around the axle about trying to rinse all the foam out of their equipment, which actually negates the sanitizing. Just leave that foam in everything; it will have no affect on your product and it won't make you grow horns or a second head.
Looking forward to seeing more videos on your homebrewing journey.
Date: 2020-08-18
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Comments and reviews: 6
Joseph
Hey Dixie, I have spent part of the last several weeks binge watching your adventures on the AT. Having grown up in NYC and so use to hearing accents from all over the world I particularly enjoyed yours. Words such as toting and britches now pepper my vocabulary. Love listening to your inspiring voice.
Now for a request. If possible could you take on the subject of dehydrating food/meals that could be sent as mail drops along the trail. I have experience cooking in restaurants and would love to be able to enjoy a variety of home made meals from time to time.
Regards to Whitney so appreciate the great job you have done editing and posting these vlogs.
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Hey Dixie, I have spent part of the last several weeks binge watching your adventures on the AT. Having grown up in NYC and so use to hearing accents from all over the world I particularly enjoyed yours. Words such as toting and britches now pepper my vocabulary. Love listening to your inspiring voice.
Now for a request. If possible could you take on the subject of dehydrating food/meals that could be sent as mail drops along the trail. I have experience cooking in restaurants and would love to be able to enjoy a variety of home made meals from time to time.
Regards to Whitney so appreciate the great job you have done editing and posting these vlogs.
reply
BetweenTheBlazes
Its funny We have a lot in common. My wife and I thru-hiked the AT this yeas and I documented it on YouTube. I grew up on a dairy farm and have always longed for the simple life a little farm /homestead and to be self sufficient. Now I see that you are hitting another passion of mine brewing! I have been home brewing beer for over 5 years. Now my question is when are you going to start keeping bees! I have had bees sense I was 12. Enjoy your videos and looking forward to what the future holds. Happy Trails!
reply
Its funny We have a lot in common. My wife and I thru-hiked the AT this yeas and I documented it on YouTube. I grew up on a dairy farm and have always longed for the simple life a little farm /homestead and to be self sufficient. Now I see that you are hitting another passion of mine brewing! I have been home brewing beer for over 5 years. Now my question is when are you going to start keeping bees! I have had bees sense I was 12. Enjoy your videos and looking forward to what the future holds. Happy Trails!
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Mark
add camden tablets to the juice to kill any wild yeast. keep an air lock on it. after a few days add your yeast. let it go for a week to 10 days. then rack it to the next container. that is how i do it. i have had pretty good luck with my final product. in the USA its called hard cider in the UK and most of the rest of the world it is just cider. ciders are dryer then wines. best of luck on the next batch. it is a very fun and interesting process. Mark
reply
add camden tablets to the juice to kill any wild yeast. keep an air lock on it. after a few days add your yeast. let it go for a week to 10 days. then rack it to the next container. that is how i do it. i have had pretty good luck with my final product. in the USA its called hard cider in the UK and most of the rest of the world it is just cider. ciders are dryer then wines. best of luck on the next batch. it is a very fun and interesting process. Mark
reply
Anthony
When life gives you apple juice make vinegar.
That's the saying right?
Apple cider Vinegar has many good uses. You can drink it in small amounts, wash things with it like hiking shoes that smell.
reply
When life gives you apple juice make vinegar.
That's the saying right?
Apple cider Vinegar has many good uses. You can drink it in small amounts, wash things with it like hiking shoes that smell.
reply
mausershooter100
Give mead making a try sometime. I think you can use most of the gear you already have. I tried it once and thought it was fairly easy. Good video - keep 'em coming!
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Give mead making a try sometime. I think you can use most of the gear you already have. I tried it once and thought it was fairly easy. Good video - keep 'em coming!
reply
Larry3043
Sorry to see it didn't go as planned but on the other hand ya have 3 gallons of apple cider vinegar. Any plans what your gonna do with it all? Maybe lots of salad dressing.
reply
Sorry to see it didn't go as planned but on the other hand ya have 3 gallons of apple cider vinegar. Any plans what your gonna do with it all? Maybe lots of salad dressing.
reply
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