First attempt at a "cider"

[lurker18]

Both the parents and in laws have apple trees that just end up with grass covered with apples, so I thought I would use these as a try to make something.

Question is, I will be getting these pretty much as they fall off, so there will be several times that I am juicing. Would it be possible to juice (using a Juice man juicer) every weekend, getting about a gallon or so at a time, storing that in the fridge, until there is enough to go ahead with the whole thing in a carbouy, say in a month.

 

[CvilleKevin]

If this is your first time, IMHO you would be better off fermenting a gallon at a time with different yeasts until you find one that works the best for your juice

 

[lurker18]

I am not expecting much out of this, probably end up with more of prison hooch than anything drinkable. Just want to try things out.

 

[timp]

Can I add a question in here, cos I'm in a similar situation to lurker18: When are the fallers going to be usable? Is it a case that if they fall off the tree then they can be juiced or do they need to sweeter, later in the year??

 

[Edcculus]

From what I've been reading (in Michael Phillips' "The Apple Grower"), early on in the season, you should thin the fruit. That will ultimately give you a better yeild and less early falls. Some varieties need to be thinned quite extensively apparently (I have no practice, this is just what I'm reading).

I guess your options are
1 - mill and press what falls now
2 - don't use windfalls
3 - thin the trees (although its almost a little late for that now)
4 - store what falls now in a cool dry place. Wait to mill/press all of the apples at harvest.

 

[timp]

If I've read somewhere that 16lbs should produce around a gallon (UK or US?) then it's probably only worth pressing the fallers now if there are 16lbs of 'em?

 

[timotb]

I get a little over 3 gallons of juice per one bushel of apples using a commercial press

 

[funkbier]

180lbs of Gravensteins = 7.75 gal juice