Reversing flavor affects of heat pasteurized cider

[RedSkyGuy]

A 6 gal batch of carbonated cider I made turned out great from a local orchard that does not pasteurize.
Using the same yeast, similar apples and environment I made a batch from “another” orchard that uses heat to pasteurize there cider.
It doesn’t taste bad, just less complex and bland. Any advice to add complexity, flavor, body.
I haven’t carbonated the new stuff yet, which may add that complexity I am looking for?

 

[Maylar]

I doubt the pasteurization has much to do with it. Different apples make different ciders. Consider oaking the cider for a few months then make acid adjustments.

 

[RPh_Guy]

The contribution from wild microbes can't be easily duplicated, but you can try using an estery primary yeast and also some Brettanomyces yeast.

+1 for tannin and/or oak and acid adjustment before packaging. This definitely helps.

 

[GeneDaniels1963]

You can also find some crab apples, freeze then, press them. The juice will add quite a bit of complexity a bland cider. I do this with store bought juice and the difference is amazing.

 

[dmtaylor]

Bland cider comes from bland apples. Pasteurization shouldn't hurt it. As others suggested, add crabapple juice and/or tannin.

 

[Blacksmith1]

Is there a company that sells crabapple juice?

 

[RedSkyGuy]

Added some Malic acid and in return lowered the PH and it’s tasting a lot brighter and more complex. Does anyone have alternative ways to add Acid?

 

[dmtaylor]

Is there a company that sells crabapple juice?

Very doubtful. In many (most?) places in USA, crabapples grow in public places all over everywhere. I get mine from my in-laws' front yard. They don't mind at all. Then run them through a kitchen juicer, or just mash them up, bag them and toss them into the fermenter.

 

[RPh_Guy]

Does anyone have alternative ways to add Acid?

Malic acid is the natural acid in apples and there's no fermentable sugar in the powder, so it's very easy to use and adjust to taste.

 

[Blacksmith1]

Very doubtful. In many (most?) places in USA, crabapples grow in public places all over everywhere.

Unfortunately I live here, 27.850545,-82.708560 , and apples of any sort don't seem to like the weather here.

 

[dmtaylor]

Unfortunately I live here, 27.850545,-82.708560 , and apples of any sort don't seem to like the weather here.

Yeah actually I kind of wondered about that. Northern half of the nation, we have a lot of them.