Keep cider away from light?

[cjstruble1]

Hello Everyone....when fermenting cider in a glass carboy, does it need to be covered to protect if from sunlight the way beer does?

 

[Yan]

Yes. Meads, wines and ciders as well as beers can all be damaged from light.

 

[ErieShores]

I have been told that sunlight will skunk cider. No experience to speak of though.

 

[mordantly]

no hops? should be ok.

 

[Yan]

Cider won't skunk from light because it doesn't have hops. But you can bet it won't taste the way it should. It doesn't matter what it is, if it's fermented, it can get light-struck. It's less of a danger for stuff that gets consumed fast, which is why white and rose wines are bottled in clear bottles. But if you're getting light onto it before it's even in the bottles, the no good can possibly come of it.

 

[f1oored]

I've read that UV light can strip flavor from ciders. No skunking because no hops but best practice is to keep it out of the light.

 

[Teromous]

Somebody did a test on it a while ago and the color changed, but it was in actual sunlight. I have grocery bags turned upside down with a hole cut in the bottom for the top of the carboy. Unless your house is really bright I don't think you have to worry, but seeing as how I can make free carboy covers there really is no reason for me not to cover them.

 

[mordantly]

i got the singer out and turned some old flannel sheets into covers for mine. then i moved, so i now have 200 sq feet of closet space i can use.

 

[david_42]

It won't skunk the way beer does, but sunlight and UV can damage any fermented beverage.

 

[gratus fermentatio]

I keep all my fermentations & storebought libations out of the light as much as possible. Regards, GF.