A cider-y query

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Squaralina
margo - newbie
margo - newbie
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A cider-y query

Post: # 141414Post Squaralina »

Hey all, I have a query regarding an extremely amateur attempt at making cider.

I moved into my place in September and discovered an apple tree in the garden to my great delight. This coincided with the Spark running a short article on making cider and in particular, making your own on a small scale. The recipe itself was (as I can remember) basically put juiced apples in a demijohn and leave it until Christmas, then add a campden tablet to stop fermentation, or alternatively, leave it for longer to create scrumpy. I started it mid-late September, it definitely had a good old bubbling session with all the brown sludge and what not and then calmed down. I keep forgetting about it and now it's February. It has sludge at the bottom, a bit of white sediment on top, smell nice and boozy, not eggy or anything.

Does this sound like I'm going to hurt myself if I drink it? That's 'hurt myself' subjectively and relatively :wink: I nicked a little out of it to put in some soup and whilst it was frying off, it smelt like alcohol generally does when you cook it.

Am I worrying too much? I'd like to leave it until my birthday in March if possible. Should it be in bottles now and not the demijohn? Shall I just try a bit and see how I feel? Will I poison myself horribly?

All advice eagerly received, this is my first attempt and I haven't really a clue as to what I'm doing :D
I try to live a moral life but I just can't be a vegan for their sins www.catandgirl.com

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benner
Barbara Good
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Re: A cider-y query

Post: # 141446Post benner »

If the taste is to your liking and it's stopped bubbling then rack it off into bottles.

Check this link. This is THE site for cider making! http://www.cider.org.uk/frameset.htm

I started mine in September too, most of it is now clearing nicely in the garden shed. Will leave it until april when I will get it barrelled or bottled up!
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Squaralina
margo - newbie
margo - newbie
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Joined: Sun Apr 06, 2008 9:45 am

Re: A cider-y query

Post: # 141448Post Squaralina »

ah fantastic, thankyou. most reassuring! * goes to try* :drunken:
I try to live a moral life but I just can't be a vegan for their sins www.catandgirl.com

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red
A selfsufficientish Regular
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Re: A cider-y query

Post: # 141450Post red »

thats how i made cider (although i did rack it off the sludge once) and I haven't killed myself with drinking it yet. though its headclutchingly strong

also the cider has been used in a pork and cider casserole to great effect, and mulled cider.. lovely..
Red

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