The other weekend, Mr. T and I went to our favorite local orchard (Monroe’s orchard) to get our big bags of fresh apples. The day felt like a cold winter one, pretty chilly but not unbearable. As soon as we entered the farm, we got this cozy holiday vibe and there was this unforgettable smells of Christmas: spicy and enticing, comforting and sweet, all at once. The generous woman inside offered us a cup of hot spiced apple cider. The sweet cider was infused with mulled spices. Oh autumn nectar! We were told there were star anises, cloves and cinnamon sticks in the mix. It was divine and I immediately had to find a great way of reproducing it for my family.
The same night, I made a big batch with way too much cider for two adults. The recipe of non-alcoholic apple cider I found was quite easy and delicious but we did not succeed in drinking it all. A gallon of fresh apple cider makes a lot of cider. Even with a little bit of alcohol in it, we could not drink it all. So I decided that I would freeze half a gallon to bring to our Thanksgiving reunion. Can we freeze homemade apple cider? Is there a freezer-safe container that we should use? After some research from food specialists from the United States, I found simple steps to follow and the best way to keep your family healthy.
How to Make Spiced Old fashion spiced apple cider recipe with maple syrup
Old fashion spiced apple cider recipe with maple syrup
This spiced apple cider begins with apple juice or apple cider. While apple juice is easier to find, it usually doesn’t have the same rich apple flavor you’ll find with cider. But there’s a workaround: Choose a high-quality brand of apple juice made from whole apples. You can add alcohol to the recipe to make it more festive. We love dark rum, but you can also add vermouth or ginger ale for a nonalcoholic version.
Ingredients
- 1 packet of Mulled spices ( It’s kind of late in the season, my spices jar were pretty low so I bought a packet on amazon!)
- 1 gallon of fresh Apple cider
- 2 tbsp of maple syrup
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a crockpot and stir to combine.
- Simmer the mixture to allow the spices to infuse into the liquid, then prepare for a house filled with sweet fall vibes and aroma!
- Mulling spices effortlessly elevate any drink to the next level of deliciousness.
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This spiced apple cider begins with your choice of apple juice or cold-pressed apple cider. While apple juice is easier to find, it usually doesn’t have the same rich apple flavor you’ll find with cider. But there’s a work-around: Choose a high-quality brand of apple juice made from whole apples. You can add alcohol to the recipe to make it more festive. We love dark rum but you can also add vermouth or ginger ale for a non alcohol version.
How long does your fresh apple cider last?
Since cider is often a raw product, refrigeration is a must. However, it will last 2-3 hours unrefrigerated, so long as it remains out of direct sunlight, just long enough for your car ride home. Once in the refrigerator, you can expect 2-3 weeks of shelf life. Yes you can freeze your homemade apple cider. Follow these steps.
Pasteurizing and Storing Fresh Apple Cider (best method)
Unpasteurized apple juice, or fresh apple cider may contain bacteria that cause illness. But don’t worry, there is an easy way to stop it that’s called pasteurization. Harmful bacteria will be killed by pasteurization.You need to heat cider to a high temperature at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit, 185 degrees Fahrenheit at most. You can do it different ways but always warm your cider enough to attain pasteurization. You can measure the actual temperature with a cooking thermometer.
Yes, you can freeze homemade apple cider?
Cool the food before you freezing apple cider
Make your favorite homemade cider recipe. Then, when you are all done and you want to store the leftovers liquid in the freezer, you will need to wait until the it reaches room temperature. Freezing the apple cider when hot will raise the temperature of the freezer and could cause other foods to start defrosting.
Pour it in sealed airtight container
If you do not seal your food it can get “freezer-burn”. This means that water escapes from the food and moves to the coldest part of the freezer. While this affects the quality of the food, it will still be safe to eat. To freeze, pour hot cider into plastic or glass freezer containers, leaving ½ inch headspace at the top of the container for expansion. This is a must, or your container could explode in the freezer. Refrigerate until cool and then place in the freezer.
You can also freeze them in ice cube trays for one portion at a time.
Label everything you freeze
If you don’t label foods or ingredients clearly, you might not remember what they are, let alone when you froze them. This happened to me once or twice! Always add the date it was frozen and the name of your product.
Best option to safe thawing frozen apple cider
Never thaw foods in a garage, basement, out on the kitchen counter, outdoors or on the porch. These methods can leave your foods unsafe to eat.
There are three safe ways to thaw food: in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave. It’s best to plan ahead for slow, safe thawing in the refrigerator. Small items may defrost overnight; most foods require a day or two.
For faster thawing, place food in a leak proof plastic bag and immerse it in cold water. Check the water frequently to be sure it stays cold. Change the water every 30 minutes. After thawing, use immediately.
So yes, after all those considerations you can warm up the winter months with the taste of apple cider mixed with spices for a healthy drink that the whole family can enjoy (thanks to the freezer) for a long time this season!
You can find a wonderful recipe from scratch from Pickup limes here:
sources SafeFooD NET, USDA freezing and food safety
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