Need a little help troubleshooting a problem

[Firehawk69]

Hey there everyone!

I have 5 gallons of Blackberry Cider in secondary right now and I have a question. After the primary fermentation ended I racked off of 4 lbs of frozen blackberries and on to 3 lbs of blackberry puree. I'm trying to maintain as much of the blackberry flavor as possible. I just racked into another caryboy to get it off of the sediment so I dont put in any off flavors while Im waiting for it to clear. I tried some when I took a gravity reading and all I can really taste is the alcohol. Im looking for a way to bring out the flavor before I bottle. Any suggestions?

 

[roadymi]

How dry is it? I find sweetness brings out flavors the best. If you choose to sweeten it, I would stabilize then try to add some blackberry juice. Not sure where you can get it.....maybe squeeze your puree through a strainer.

You didn't state how long between rackings or how high abv is. I wouldn't be too concerned about leaving on fruit puree for awhile. Leave it until it loses it's color. Keep it punched down so it doesn't float on top for extended periods.

 

[Firehawk69]

It was a month between rackings and starting gravity was 1.070. When I racked today the gravity was down to 1.000. I'm also using an ale yeast instead of a wine yeast. I want it to be a little sweet, but not so much that it can only be drunk as a dessert cider. i planned on backsweetening after I stabilized with potassium sorbate. Im wondering how much sugar should I use?

 

[roadymi]

I like around 1.015 for an easy drinking cider. I find that 2-3 cans of apple juice concentrate is nice for taking from dry to semi sweet. (for 5 gal)

 

[Firehawk69]

Awesome! Thanks!

 

[Vox]

At what point do you add the apple concentrate? I'm new and still trying to understand backsweetening.

 

[roadymi]

At what point do you add the apple concentrate? I'm new and still trying to understand backsweetening.

For a still cider I wait until fermentation is complete (1.00 or below) stabilize with BOTH Sorbate and camden, then add concentrate.

That is the order that I do it but it is often months between when fermentation ends and stabilizing. I then backsweeten around 24 hours after stabilizing.

 

[Firehawk69]

Hey Roady,

What do you think about adding orange juice concentrate? Im trying to make a cider that sort of resembles blood for a Halloween party I'm planning. Right now I have an almost purple color to it and I'm wondering if the concentrate will lighten it up just a little

 

[CollegeCider]

food coloring wont mess with the taste