If The World Gives You Apples, Make Apple Cider

Yesterday we ventured out to the Cleveland area to make delicious cider with some friends of ours. This is the second time we've done it and it's always sticky, sweet fun!

I know what you're thinking...I want to make cider too!!!

Well, do not despair, I will share with you the basic steps of cidermaking.

1. Before making cider you need a cider press. Find a friend with one or make one for yourself.

2. Get yourself some apples! Lots of them and of all different varieties. It's the varying flavors of apples that make cider taste so good.



3. Wash the apples. Get all the gunk and possible pesticides (yuk!) off of them.


4. Gather up a large group of friends and family to help with the labor and promise them they'll get the sweet rewards of their hard work.


5. Start cutting. You have to get all the nasty bits out the apples. Say good-bye to worms and rot.


6. Be careful when cutting up the apples. My fingers got a couple of nicks. Oops.


7. Pile up all the yummy cuttings. Eat a little if you want.


8. Place the apples in the press.


9. Turn the wheel, push the apples through and watch as the sweet golden nectar flows. Bees will be your constant companions when making cider. They love it. I've even had a bee sip cider off my fingers. They're wild for the stuff. They don't usually get aggressive they just want to join the party and try and drown themselves too.


10. Using a strainer and a funnel, fill the jugs full of the yummy stuff. Try to refrain from putting your head beneath the spigot and filling your mouth full of cider.


11. Ta-dah! Delicious, homemade cider for all to share!


Side note: You're going to be left with a lot of pressed apples. Give them to your neighboring farm animals or put them in a compost.

Trust me, there's nothing quite as good as your own homemade cider! Yum!!!