Making ciders and adding fresh fruit. I have made few batches and some recipes said to add the fruit right away and some said to wait 2 weeks and then add when you rack and go another 3 weeks. Question: when is the best time and why? Also should I always do a Campden tablet and let it sit for 24 hours? is there a difference between adding the fruit pureed or just adding chunks? thanks for any advice you can give. getting ready to do an apple kiwi cider.
adding fresh fruit
- Thread starter cris0728
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CKuhns
Everything learned in Kindergarten still applies!
I just realized you added this to the Mead forum not he Cider forum, but answered anyway... (Might be better in the Cider Forum)
No real wrong way or right way to add fruit.
It really all depends on if you want the fruit flavor to shine or let the apple come thtough.
Fruit in primary: Allows for the fruit to be up front and kind of overpowers the more subtle apple flavors. But great if you want the fruit to be predominant then also add fruit to secondary with the intent of letting the fruit flavor be the main focus. For ciders 1.0 to 1.5 pounds per gallon both in primary and secondary.
Fruit in secondary: The trick here in my opinion is to balance the fruit flavor while still allowing some of the apple flavor to come through. Depending on the fruit I add 1 to 1.5 pounds per gallon, taste it after 5 - 7 days and check daily until you hit the flavor profile your looking for.
No real wrong way or right way to add fruit.
It really all depends on if you want the fruit flavor to shine or let the apple come thtough.
Fruit in primary: Allows for the fruit to be up front and kind of overpowers the more subtle apple flavors. But great if you want the fruit to be predominant then also add fruit to secondary with the intent of letting the fruit flavor be the main focus. For ciders 1.0 to 1.5 pounds per gallon both in primary and secondary.
Fruit in secondary: The trick here in my opinion is to balance the fruit flavor while still allowing some of the apple flavor to come through. Depending on the fruit I add 1 to 1.5 pounds per gallon, taste it after 5 - 7 days and check daily until you hit the flavor profile your looking for.
