Store Brand Cider/Juice PH and SG readings

[MidTNJasonF]

I have been winning quite a few medals in competition the last year and a half and have been getting many questions about my methods/recipes from my local homebrew club members.

In an effort to help better explain my methods and success I though I would take some readings of the various juices and ciders I have experimented with. This may be of interest to folks here as well. I do not live in an area blessed with local orchards and press pressed is hard to find. As a result I try to make the most of good store bought juices and ciders.

As I buy and try new brands I will try to come back and update the info here if anyone is interested.

 

[MidTNJasonF]

All PH readings were taken with a freshly calibrated Martini PH meter. All SG readings were taken with freshly calibrated standard refractometer.

Since that may not be that readable I will list them individually.

Brand / Variety PH Sample 1 SG Sample 1 PH Sample 2 SG Sample 2 Average PH Average Sg
Martinelli's 100% Pure Apple Cider 3.4 1.051 3.5 1.052 3.45 1.0515

Martinelli's also has 100% Apple Juice and an Unfiltered Juice that are good. All three are high on my list of tasty source juices.

Brand / Variety PH Sample 1 SG Sample 1 PH Sample 2 SG Sample 2 Average PH Average Sg
Market Pantry (Target Brand) Apple Cider (From Concentrate) 3.6 1.044 3.6 1.044 3.6 1.0440

Good enough tasting Cider but a bit on the thin and watery side for my taste. Doubt it is adding a ton of flavor and no body to the finished hard cider.

Brand / Variety PH Sample 1 SG Sample 1 PH Sample 2 SG Sample 2 Average PH Average Sg
Whitehouse Fresh Pressed 100% All Natural Apple Juice Filtered 3.6 1.043 3.6 1.044 3.6 1.0435

Very solid juice. Ranks pretty high in the flavor department but not a true sweet cider. Not from concentrate.

Brand / Variety PH Sample 1 SG Sample 1 PH Sample 2 SG Sample 2 Average PH Average Sg
Whitehouse Fresh Pressed 100% All natural Apple Juice Unfiltered 3.6 1.044 3.6 1.0440

I only had one sample of this juice. Also very flavorful and with it being unfiltered it seemed to have a more substantial mouthfeel. Probably a good choice for hard cider making. Not from Concentrate.

Brand / Variety PH Sample 1 SG Sample 1 PH Sample 2 SG Sample 2 Average PH Average Sg
Publix 100% Pure Apple Juice (Not From Concentrate) 3.5 1.045 3.6 1.043 3.55 1.0440

My favorite of the clear juices in terms of flavor. Helps that it is not from concentrate I am sure. If you must use juice rather than sweet ciders try to use flavorful ones.

Brand / Variety PH Sample 1 SG Sample 1 PH Sample 2 SG Sample 2 Average PH Average Sg
Publix 100% Pure Apple Cider (Not From Concentrate) 3.4 1.045 3.5 1.044 3.45 1.0445

A solid cider but not as strong in flavor and character as some others. Taste rating is mid pack on this one.

 

[MidTNJasonF]

2nd place holder

 

[MindenMan]

Sign me up too!

 

[gmhowell]

Any updates to this list?