Making Apple Cider at the Farm!!!
Making Fresh apple cider at the Urban Farm is a treat normally reserved for the Fall term class when the apples are fallen on the ground and ready for cider! However, as the end of the Summer session is coming to a close, there were enough apples laying around to pull out the press early. Making the cider is pretty simple and fun! All you have to do is pick up apples that have fallen on the ground around your trees, and there are plenty of these around in both of the orchards at the Farm. Then load them into the press and students get to take turns spinning the press which crushes the apples and releases the juices from the apples. When enough apples have been crushed, you can release the juice to be poured out (as seen in the video above) to get the fresh cider!
Now let’s learn a little bit more about the history of cider…
Once the early civilizations learned how to ferment apple cider it was a trend that caught on quickly. The earliest known record of cider production is thought to have come from 1300 BC in Egypt because of evidence of apples trees once inhabiting there, but we do not no for sure. What we do know is that in 55 BC villages in England were recorded to have been drinking a beverage made from apples that resembled apple cider very closely. Ever since then, cider has taken off and truly become a staple in 9th century Europe. Farmers even began having whole orchards just for cider production.
Cider was introduced to America when the colonists arrived. And it caught on quickly was well because of New England being a great place to grown apple trees. It was quite popular for a while as the water was not always the safest to drink and the apples did provide some nutritional value. “Applekin” was even a variety created for kids to drink that did not have as high of an alcoholic content.
Today, apples are a beloved and tasty treat. Check out a few recipes below to see some of the wonderful creations you can make with a tasty apple!
An American classic, delicious apple pie! Find out how to make it here.
Serve hot with a scope of vanilla ice cream…almost nothing better.
Apple Oat Crisp…a sweet treat for desert or I say breakfast. Good to pair with ice cream or yogurt!
Learn how to make it here.
Sources:
Lewis, Danny. “The Ancient Origins of Apple Cider.” Smithsonian.com, Smithsonian Institution, 8 Dec. 2016, www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/ancient-origins-apple-cider-180960662/.
“Apple Cider, Apple Butter, Perry, and Vinegar.” National Apple Museum, The Biglerville Historical and Preservation Society and The National Apple Museum, www.nationalapplemuseum.com/appleciderandmore.html.
Leave a Reply