apple cider...

I was inspired by one of my relatives and longtime neighbor of my parents, Judy, for this next project.  She has a wonderful orchard and is known for her apple juice.  When I had a chance to buy a basket of apples, I jumped on it with thoughts of apple juice and hard cider in my head.



With Judy's guidance and advice I started the project yesterday. I sliced and cored 4 quarts of apples. I boiled 4 quarts of water with 4 teaspoons of Cream of Tarter. I mixed them all together and let it set for 24 hours. I chopped up the apple cores and gave them to the worms.
  
Twenty four hours later I looked at what I had.  I boiled the apples in the water they sat in.  Then I pureed the apples.  I poured the water and puree through a strainer.  Then reboiled the juice adding 3/4 cup of brown sugar, 1 t. of cinnamon, 1/2 t. nutmeg, and 1/2 t. of cloves per gallon of cider. 

One gallon is going to become hard cider and the other gallon was canned in quart jars for those cold winter days.

While I was waiting for things to set and boil, I worked on finishing up the blocks for my quilt.  I have 4 more blocks to make and then I'm on to the next phase.

I taste tested the cider and it turned out perfectly. I don't think I would have been brave enough to try this endeavor if I didn't have Judy as support. It was fun and I can't wait for company this winter.

 

I haven't figured out what to do about uploading photos, but this time it let me.