Cider on a budget

[DC600]

Hello folks, first time poster here, but I have followed a few threads on here previously and decided to join in.

I have been making a budget cider for months now, using Lidl's own 'definitly from concentrate' 1.5L family pack apple juice. It's quite convenient, it comes in a tray of 8 cartons, so 2 trays is more or less 5 gallons. I add a couple of Kg's of normal white sugar and it results in a very dry, crisp cider/wine at around 10% abv. I back sweeten a little to drink and its gets to a more sensible %. It's also pretty good straight albeit, in small quantities!

So to the question: I live in the north of England and I struggle to buy fresh apple juice in any kind of bulk quantity and the fresh stuff from the supermarkets works out very expensive to do say a 5 gallon batch. Can anyone point me in the right direction on how/where to source some juice from? Probably looking to buy in 25l containers if possible but would consider anything at this point. I'm very happy with my budget recipe but would like to try it with fresh juice to experience the difference.

I've not found anything online really and my part of the UK is not particularly famous for its orchards unfortunately.

Thanks in advance

 

[Chalkyt]

Have a look at orangepippin.com... it lists a number of small orchards in the south-east which seem to sell apples and juice.

Here in Oz we had a very bad year with drought and bushfires so my small home orchard apple crop was non-existent. and our nearest proper apple growing and cider producing area (Batlow on the west of the Snowy Mountains) was completely wiped out. However, further south, some apple growing places survived and I was able to get fresh unpasteurised juice at around $3 per litre, delivered which is only $1 (50p?) per bottle. So, my cider this year is a blend of Pink Lady (medium sweet) and Granny Smith (tart) and turned out really well.

Here in Oz we don't mind travelling long distances e.g. it is a six hour trip to Sydney from here in the mountains which people do either as a long day trip or an "overnighter". I don't know where in the North you are but for example, Yorkshire to Kent seems to be about 250 miles or around a four hour drive... nice return day trip for lunch and come home with plenty of juice????

 

[DC600]

I used to work in Somerset a few years back so i know the area well, but a 10 hour round trip for a car full of juice is not my cup of tea i'm afraid!

Ideally looking for orchards around the M62 corridor or the Midlands, just looking to see if anyone know of any...

 

[madscientist451]

I'm across the puddle in Pennsylvania USA, but a few minutes on google turned up some possibilities for you: (I'm just guessing at your location, so I hope some of these are close)
http://www.leedsurbanharvest.org.uk/
Here's a calendar of events from 2017, but perhaps some of these events are still going on:

https://www.theorchardproject.org.uk/news/leedsappleday2017/
This orchard sells juice:

http://yorkshireorchards.co.uk/blank-page5867af2f
There's plenty more in your area, just search whatever town you are in and "cider", "cider apples" or "orchard".
Looks like you should have plenty of fine juice to choose from.

https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/new...you-may-not-know-hail-white-rose-county-47505

 

[Kees]

Not too far from the Midlands are the Malverns. Cider and perry country.

 

[DC600]

Wow, thanks for the thorough research! I've been googling bulk apple juice, apple juice 5L and 25L and found nothing, I guess I had the wrong terms

Thanks again

 

[Kees]

Your welcome. I have lived in Walsall and Ross-on-Wye so I know the area.