Clearing Cider

[TheChosunOne]

Hey guys, I just racked some store bought cider into secondary and it's really cloudy right now. How long should I wait for it to clear up? I didnt have pectic enzyme on hand when I fermented so I didn't use it, should I throw it in now or would it not work? Also, I have sparkolloid and gelatin, would that be sufficient to clear it up on its own?

 

[phendog]

I've found time is best for cider and patience is key. Plus, it's take a while for the best characters to come through. I've gone as long as 5 months in secondary. That said, regardless of yeast used your cider should be clear as a bell within 45 days from start.

 

[TheChosunOne]

so i wont need any fining agents if i wait long enough right?

 

[dmtaylor]

Patience is right. I let my ciders ferment for at least 6 weeks before worrying about clarity at all. Gelatin and cold will knock the haze right out in 48 hours. You can save that for when the yeast is done working. Unless you want it to finish sweet, then you can do it when it tastes good.

You don't *need* to use finings. But, I often do, and sometimes it's downright necessary, IF you care about clarity at all. Sometimes it clears over time, and sometimes it doesn't. Depends on your juice source and amount of pectin, which is highly variable, even if you add pectinase (which I don't).

Cheers.