Presweetening cider with Xylitol

[joeyjojojr]

I know my cider will ferment dry. I know the amount of xylitol needed to bring it to the sweetness I like. Can I throw xylitol in before the ferment then?>

 

[phug]

It won't off gas, so I don't see why not

 

[dmtaylor]

Sure, go for it. Maybe 6 oz per gallon to start out? Plus or minus a little bit. I'm going to xylitol my cider for the first time ever soon and that's about where I'll start with it.

 

[oldmate]

You can, but I wouldn't risk any potential off-flavours. Go the safe route and add it at bottling.

 

[madscientist451]

I agree with Oldmate, and add this: depending what kinds of apples/juice you are using, the qualities will vary from year to year. You want to backsweeten to achive a certain taste profile, so a good method is to run blending trials to see what the optimal amount to add is.

 

[Maylar]

I will advise against that. It'll throw your gravity readings off. Add the Xylitol at the very end, at bottling time.

 

[bmd2k1]

Sure, go for it. Maybe 6 oz per gallon to start out? Plus or minus a little bit. I'm going to xylitol my cider for the first time ever soon and that's about where I'll start with it.

How much xylitol did you determine was a good amount per gal for your tastes?

 

[Shawn3997]

I use 150 grams for 5 gallons.

 

[dmtaylor]

How much xylitol did you determine was a good amount per gal for your tastes?

It depends how dry it is. I figure about 50 grams per gallon will add roughly 0.005 to the final gravity, if that helps.

 

[Maylar]

I use 3 TBSP per gallon for semi-sweet.

 

[Morrey]

It is easy enough to add the xylitol after fermentation and adjust your sweetness precisely. The uncertainty of adding it before doesn't make it worth it in my opinion.

 

[Maylar]

Add sweetener at bottling time. Xylitol will raise SG slightly more than the same amount of sugar.

 

[bmd2k1]

It is easy enough to add the xylitol after fermentation and adjust your sweetness precisely. The uncertainty of adding it before doesn't make it worth it in my opinion.

Yep! Despite thread topic title...was looking for back sweetening amount feedback. Thx!

 

[John Doe]

Am I right to assume you use this so fermentation doesn't restart?

 

[dmtaylor]

Am I right to assume you use this so fermentation doesn't restart?

Correct. Xylitol will not ferment.

WARNING: Xylitol is also extremely poisonous to dogs. Just a very small amount can kill a dog. Seriously. Be careful with it.