Cider vs. Apple Juice.

  • PATRONS: Did you know we've a chat function for you now? Look to the bottom of the screen, you can chat, set up rooms, talk to each other individually or in groups! Click 'Chat' at the right side of the chat window to open the chat up.
  • Love Gotmead and want to see it grow? Then consider supporting the site and becoming a Patron! If you're logged in, click on your username to the right of the menu to see how as little as $30/year can get you access to the patron areas and the patron Facebook group and to support Gotmead!
  • We now have a Patron-exclusive Facebook group! Patrons my join at The Gotmead Patron Group. You MUST answer the questions, providing your Patron membership, when you request to join so I can verify your Patron membership. If the questions aren't answered, the request will be turned down.

MrCyphyr

NewBee
Registered Member
Aug 23, 2017
56
1
0
Londonderry, NH
From a mead maker's view (newbee).. what is the advantages/disadvantages of using Cider vs. 100% Apple Juice (No sorbates, sulfates)
 
Depends on the source of the cider. Fresh pressed orchard cider will have more aroma and flavor than apple juice. The one time I used grocery store juice in a cider it was very bland and lacked flavor. The best source is juice that's pressed specifically for fermented purposes, it'll have the combination of sugar, acid and tannin that makes the best cider or cysers.

That said, there's a fella on the cider forum at HBT who makes a high ABV cider aged in oak barrels with Mott's apple juice and he took a silver medal at GLINTCAP, the Mazer Cup of cider competitions. Go figure.
 
I gotta think there is more YAN in the pressed cider as well. I wonder if the Motts maker added other fractions to create a wider spectrum? I have made Motts stuff before. It's not bad. But it is mostly one dimensional.