Remember all those apples I got (for free!) last week? Guess what I made with them yesterday.
If you read the title of this post, you have a pretty good chance of getting it right.
Yup, I made some apple cider. You’re so smart!
Why yes, I did take a picture of my apple cider in a homemade light box. What? Is that weird?
My friend invited me over yesterday to use her antique cider press.
It works just as well today as it did when it was new, sometime in the 1800s. The process is pretty much the same now too.
First, wash and quarter your apples, then dump them in the hopper.
Then you need to spit on your hands and get to work.
We did not actually spit on our hands.
Turn the crank to grind up the apples.
Apple patterned apron, optional.
Turning that crank is a real work-out! Make sure you have lots of help so you can take breaks give others a chance at the fun.
The ground apples fall into a barrel with wide gaps between the slots.
Once full, push the barrel forward so that it sits under the press. Cover with barrel lid. Turn the wheel so the screw-thingy (technical term) presses the lid down tight on the apples.
Look at the way the pressure is squeezing out all of that lovely cider! Make sure you have lots of containers to catch it all.
Interesting fact: when you first press out the cider, it is a light color, more like apple juice. Within minutes it begins to oxidize and darken.
There is nothing like fresh pressed apple cider. It’s rich, sweet and tangy. What we don’t plan to drink right away, I’ll put in the freezer and jealously horde to save for another day.
My friends and I still have more apples. We’re planning to get together to do cider again next week. That should just give the blisters enough time to heal…
Have you ever pressed your own cider? How did you do it?
Looks so cool! Thank you for posting these pictures. My kindergartner saw me reading this and asked about it so I just gave her an impromptu lesson on how a cider press works. Maybe it’s time for us to take another trip to Apple Hill to see a real one in action!
That’s awesome Shirley! I’m so glad your little one could enjoy it with you. It was a lot of fun to make (and drink). Thanks for reading!
Imagine having your own press!!! What do you do with the squished apples themselves? Are they just trash or do you make applesauce or bake with them? Are they useable, I guess is my question.
Melissa – My friend has goats and chickens, so the animals get the leftovers. Other than that, they aren’t good for anything. All the flavor has come out in the cider. The stuff that’s left is just dry pulp, peel and seeds.
Hooray for cider! Yesterday was such a beautiful day for cider pressing.
Wow, you guys are so lucky! I just love fresh cider and it is really hard to find any locally pressed cider around here! Enjoy a glass for me! 🙂
MMMMM! My mouth is watering!
In regards to the nativity scene….yes!
Send me an invoice! I cannot wait to see them in real life!
I am jealous! I made apple juice today. Not the same as cider. But if sure makes my house smell delicious!
Hi. Do you have any photos inside the apple scratter. I’m trying to build my own, and no-one round here owns one. I wanted to copy the internals of the two mashing drums or wheels or whatever crushes the apples. Thanks
I’m sorry, I’m afraid I don’t. If I ever do it again, I’ll try to get some for you.