Harvest Time

Cherry and Apple Orchards

Frequently Asked Cider Questions

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Harvest Time's Cider Master Answers The Most Frequently Asked Cider Questions

• What kinds of apples do you use?
• Do you use preservative? If so, why do you use preservative?
• Why don't you put cider in 1/2 gallon jugs instead of just gallon jugs?
• What's the best way to keep cider?
• What is the difference between apple cider and apple juice?

• What kinds of apples do you use?
  In each batch of cider, we use a few different varieties of apples to provide the fullest flavor possible. In the beginning of the apple season, this might include McIntosh and Jonathans while at the end of the season, we will be using the later varieties like Red Delicious and Golden Delicious. Because of the different flavors of each apple variety, the cider flavor will also vary over the course of the apple season.
  
  
• Do you use preservative? If so, why do you use preservative?
  We do use preservative. Preservative will give your cider a much longer shelf life. Cider without preservative will only last about 7 to 10 days but with preservative, that life is extended up to 3 weeks!
  
  
• Why don't you put cider in 1/2 gallon jugs instead of just gallon jugs?
  We have started using 1/2 gallon jugs now to give you the option of buying less. We have even experimented with quart containers! But, due to container costs, the better value is with the gallon container (you get more cider for your money!). If you just can't drink a larger amount of cider and you don't want it to go to waste, you can always put some cider in your own container to freeze it. It will last many months in your freezer so you can enjoy it even at the holidays and beyond!
  
  
• What's the best way to keep cider?
  We recommend that you freeze cider that you want to keep longer than a few weeks. When you freeze it, just remember to leave some room in the container for expansion. Frozen cider takes up quite a bit more room in the container than unfrozen cider. When you freeze cider, you can keep it for 6 months or longer! When you thaw it, it will taste just like it did before you froze it.
  
  
• What is the difference between apple cider and apple juice?
  Some say that there is no difference between cider and juice. However, there are several distinctions between what is generally called "apple cider" and the product you find in the grocery store called "apple juice". Cider is generally not pasteurized - juice is. Cider is also not as highly filtered as juice resulting in a more cloudy-looking, fuller-bodied drink. And finally, cider is the juice of freshly pressed apples with preservative being the only added ingredient. Juice may have added vitamins and calcium or have been made from water and concentrate. So, from our point of view, CIDER is the real thing!