My kiddos LOVE apple juice, but I stopped buying it in the store years ago when I noticed it's nearly impossible to find apple juice that is NOT made from from foreign apples. I mean, really, if apples can be grown in all 50 states, and 32 of those states grow apples commercially, than why does all the apple juice come from another country? Anyone? Anyone?
Well, we found out that making homemade apple cider using fresh, local apples is actually very simple, especially with our American made Champion Juicer.
And that's right, I said cider.
What is the difference between cider and apple juice, you ask?
Well good question, because I had to look it up myself! Apple cider is the juice squeezed from an apple that still contains apple sediment. Apple juice, on the other hand, is repeatedly strained and then pasteurized to extend shelf life.
Making apple cider with a juicer is quick, easy, and tasty! My kids love to help out. Here is how we do it.
Homemade Apple Cider With An American Made Juicer
Since apple cider made from juicing is not pasteurized, we make it in small batches and drink it right away. Six apples make enough cider for three servings
First, I peel, core and cut the apples into a size that will fit through the feeder of the juicer. Surprising discovery: my kiddos eat the apple peels faster than they come off of the apples, which is a bonus since the peels are the most nutritious part of the apple.
Next, my kiddos take turns turning the apples into cider. The Champion Juicer is safe for them to use (with supervision, of course). They can drop the apple pieces into the feed tube of the juicer with out worry of sharp parts. They then use a tamper to feed or press the apples into the cutter- which separates the apples' juice from the pulp.
And as easy as that, we have our finished product- homemade apple cider, all ready to drink and served with ice!
Of all the juices we have experimented with since we have had the Champion Juicer, apple cider is by far the simplest of our creations- and surprisingly, the best tasting! The kiddos were a bit apprehensive about the color and the foam on the top, but after one sip, all was good. And FYI, the thick foam is pectin, which is very beneficial to our health.
Another great thing about making our own apple cider is the leftover apple pulp. I could not let this 1 cup of goodness go to waste. I figured, hmmm, it's kind of like applesauce, so maybe it will work in a recipe that calls for applesauce……
And it did! I found a recipe for Applesauce Cookies on Pinterest and made some for school lunches. As always, mine look nothing at all like the cookies pictured on the recipe website, but hey, they taste great!
How to Make Apple Cider: American Made Products In This Post
Fiesta Plate, Shamrock
Fiesta dinnerware is manufactured in West Virginia. These are the only dishes I have ever owned that don't break on me. They seem to be kid proof!
Champion Juicer G5-PG710 - Commercial Heavy Duty Juicer, White, Standard size
Champion Juicer is a family owned business that has been manufacturing juicers in the USA for over 60 years.
Anchor Hocking Glass Food Prep and Mixing Bowls, Clear, 3-Piece Set
For over 100 years Anchor Hocking has been manufacturing glassware in the USA. These bowls were actually bought for my first apartment in the 90s. I don't think they make them in green anymore. They don't even have a chip in them and have held up amazingly.
Ball Quilted Crystal Regular Mouth Half-Pint 8 Oz. Glass Mason Jars with Lids and Bands, 12 Count/box (2 Box)
For over 200 years Ball has been manufacturing canning jars in the USA. I have been using them as our glassware since my kiddos were little. Every. single. time. I but nice "real" glasses, they break. Not these.
Great information about juices. Thank you so much.
Have you tried freezing it?
Have you tried freezing it?
You can use the pulp to make your own cider vinegar too.
I never knew the difference between apple cider and apple juice. This article was very informative so now I am going to make my own apple cider.
My granddaughter loves cider so this will be something fun that we can do together.
My husband’s very first job as a teen was making cider and selling it at a little roadside stand. He was an entrepreneur even at age 14!
I just bought a juicer at a garage sale. It is probably not the best ever made, but I am so excited to use it. I have 5 apple trees and have more apples than I know what to do with. I think apple cider will be made tomorrow 🙂
I like how this works! We always get apples and this would make cider easily.,
Nice way to make cider without having a cider press!
Oh, I never thought about it. This is great.
Did you know that almost everything for sale at Campion Juicer as well as on Amazon is out of stock? Do you happen to know when they’ll have stock again?
That’s super simple! I thought making apple cider was a long drawn about process. Thanks for sharing.
That’s super simple! I thought making apple cider was a long drawn about process. Thanks for sharing.
You can freeze it in gallon jugs also. The apple orchard here makes tons and freeze it. Very expensive.
I am going to make those applesauce cookies in the very near future. I have a big apple tree that is almost ready to share its apples, and I cannot wait!
Great Review! Thanks for Sharing!
i love fresh juice especially apple juice we go to our local apple orchard and get our juices apples honey etc…we love it thanks for sharing
I’d love to have my own juicer. I’m very fond of organic carrot juice made by Columbia Gorge, and my Whole Foods won’t carry it anymore b/c they don’t sell enough and I’m freaking out! I’d rather be able to make my own apple juice, carrot juice and any combo, esp with local produce. (check out Columbia Gorge in WA)!!! I love their Cogo Bars, too. I have a dehydrator, and in the past had a flour grinder, yogurt maker, and I would really like this juicer!!!