Elderflower cider experiment!

[zaptop]

My first batch of cider ever and it seems to turn out pretty nice. Took a while for it to start ferment but as you can see on the second image it finally started a proper fermentation!

Airlock activity every 4 seconds and lots of sexy bubbles is rising to the surface!

The taste is absolutely amazing(though it's way too sweet now + almost no alcohole )

OG was 1.060.

If you have any further questions, please ask away!

 

[zaptop]

Guess nobody was interested

 

[Hanglow]

What yeast did you use or did you do a wild ferment, or a mix? Elderflowers can make a great drink on their own with their own yeast

 

[zaptop]

What yeast did you use or did you do a wild ferment, or a mix? Elderflowers can make a great drink on their own with their own yeast

I tried to let it ferment on its wild yeast but it went sooo sloow, so I added cider yeast ! Dont know which one who survived though

 

[Hanglow]

You'll probably get a mix then. Elderflowers have quite a lot of wild yeast etc on them, should make it interesting. You may need to use campden though to stop any potential ropiness, but thats the same as normal naturally fermented cider

 

[Cheesy_Goodness]

This sounds pretty interesting. Are you worried that fermentation will make you lose the aroma from the elderflower, or are you going to hit it with elderflower during secondary too?

 

[zaptop]

Haha, that's the tricky part! I dont have any tablets :/

Could you explain what ropiness is and why its created?
Would appreciate it!

 

[zaptop]

This sounds pretty interesting. Are you worried that fermentation will make you lose the aroma from the elderflower, or are you going to hit it with elderflower during secondary too?

I'll skip secondary actually! Going for bottling right after primary. And no, I'm not worried actually! I think that it will be just perfect!

I'll keep you updated when it is done fermenting!

 

[bernardsmith]

Is this "cider" or elderflower wine? I assume that cider is made from apples.. and "cider yeast" won't actually make anything cider just like champagne yeast does not turn anything into Champagne... but that said, I just got back from a trip to the UK and the Brits (well some of them) are very into elderflower wines and cordials and we came across an elderflower -cider soft drink. I want to make a wine version of this in the next month or so ... the flavor was quite exceptional...

 

[Hanglow]

Haha, that's the tricky part! I dont have any tablets :/

Could you explain what ropiness is and why its created?
Would appreciate it!

It's basically a byproduct of the growth of some lactic acid bacteria, it turns your cider into something like raw egg white. You can prevent it by using campden powder at a certain dosage. It might break down over time. If your cider is acidic enough then it won't happen


This is a great resource on cider btw, despite its somewhat dated appearance
http://www.cider.org.uk/frameset.htm

 

[zaptop]

Is this "cider" or elderflower wine? I assume that cider is made from apples.. and "cider yeast" won't actually make anything cider just like champagne yeast does not turn anything into Champagne... but that said, I just got back from a trip to the UK and the Brits (well some of them) are very into elderflower wines and cordials and we came across an elderflower -cider soft drink. I want to make a wine version of this in the next month or so ... the flavor was quite exceptional...

It's actually an elderflower champagne! But I just call it cider, sounds way too classy for me!

This is something I did in mad scientist mode, but it got really awesome!

Here in sweden Its very popular with elderflower cordial, but we are not a big brewing country, just moonshine

 

[zaptop]

It's basically a byproduct of the growth of some lactic acid bacteria, it turns your cider into something like raw egg white. You can prevent it by using campden powder at a certain dosage. It might break down over time. If your cider is acidic enough then it won't happen


This is a great resource on cider btw, despite its somewhat dated appearance
http://www.cider.org.uk/frameset.htm

Uhh, that sounds horrific!

Are the chances big for it to get like that even in elderflower cider/champagne?

 

[Hanglow]

It is possible

But it might well be fine

You'll find out one way or another

 

[zaptop]

It is possible

But it might well be fine

You'll find out one way or another

Yeah, I suppose I will

I'll keep this thread updated if you are curious!

 

[Lodestone]

I have been considering making a flower based cider and Elderflower would be a great choice. The only thing that is really holding me back is how would one sanitize the flowers without destroying the aroma and flavor profiles? I am not a fan of wild fermentation as there are way to many things that can go wrong. And by the time you know its gone wrong there has been a lot of time vested in it. Plus I prefer to be in full control of my fermentation, I know how the yeasts work and what they need to do there job done within my expectations. Wild ferments are more of a spray and pray and I am not a religious man.

 

[zaptop]

I have been considering making a flower based cider and Elderflower would be a great choice. The only thing that is really holding me back is how would one sanitize the flowers without destroying the aroma and flavor profiles? I am not a fan of wild fermentation as there are way to many things that can go wrong. And by the time you know its gone wrong there has been a lot of time vested in it. Plus I prefer to be in full control of my fermentation, I know how the yeasts work and what they need to do there job done within my expectations. Wild ferments are more of a spray and pray and I am not a religious man.

First of all, You don't sanitize the flowers!

And if the wild fermentation won't work, you can just add some yeast! It's actually super simple!

 

[Yooper]

First of all, You don't sanitize the flowers!

And if the wild fermentation won't work, you can just add some yeast! It's actually super simple!

I would sanitize, because wild yeast isn't always desirable.

We don't have elderflowers here, but I've used dandelions and lilacs in winemaking. Jack Keller has some recipes on his site: http://winemaking.jackkeller.net/reques43.asp

 

[zaptop]

I would sanitize, because wild yeast isn't always desirable.

I've heard that the best elderflower cider/champagne is made of their own yeast!

Where do you live btw? Must be boring to not have elderflowers, both cordial and cider amazing

 

[Yooper]

I've heard that the best elderflower cider/champagne is made of their own yeast!

Where do you live btw? Must be boring to not have elderflowers, both cordial and cider amazing

We are out of the range of elderberries, I'm afraid!

I do make a ton of wine, though. Generally, I make crabapple wine, apple wine, chokecherry wine, blueberry wine, dandelion wine, plum wine, blackberry wine, rhubarb wine, and a few others.

I've been making wine for about 25 years or so.