What is it?

Not to be confused with apple juice, true apple cider contains fruit solids and is unfiltered, hence its cloudier color and richer, tangier flavor. It is made by crushing freshly harvested apples and wrapping and pressing the pulp to extract the juices. Although mass produced cider is pasteurized in order to improve its shelf life, fresh apple cider is not.

Many producers believe that certain apples are better for cider than others, and the apples used to make the beverage are divided into two categories: bittersharp, which has a higher acid content, and bittersweet. Both categories encompass apple varieties that are rich in tannins, which are said to make a better tasting cider.

Recipes

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  Cranberry Jellies

  Purply-red, a little tart, and a little sweet, these pretty bite-size candies are a great homemade gift during the holiday season. See our test kitchen tip, below, about working with…

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  Louisiana-Style Deep-Fried Turkey

  Chef David Guas makes this turkey for his family every Thanksgiving. “A great reason to deep-fry your turkey is that it takes only 35 to 40 minutes to achieve a…

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  Spiced Cider Doughnuts

  In the fall, almost every pick-your-own orchard in New England serves its family’s version of cider doughnuts. They’re all wonderful, but I’ve been told many times that mine—warmly spiced and…

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  Roasted Uncured Ham with Mustard-Herb Crust

  Dress up ham with this simple sweet-savory topping. You can use leftovers in wraps, sandwiches, casseroles, and stews.

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  Cranberry Streusel Muffins

  Sweet, crumbly streusel balances bursts of tartness from the cranberries in these tender sour-cream muffins. They're shown here with Marcona Almond Streusel, but you can use Cocoa Cardamom Streusel or…

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  Pork Chops with Thyme-Scented Apples over Cheddar Polenta

  Pork and apple juices mingle beautifully and make a lovely sauce for the chops and cheesy polenta.

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  Cider-Glazed Pork Belly and Brussels Sprouts

  This dish uses a classic flavor combination—pork, Brussels sprouts, and apples—in new ways. The pork is braised and glazed with cider for deep apple flavor and served over a Brussels…

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  Apple Cider Donuts

  These donuts have a double shot of apple, thanks to a shredded apple cooked in cider until both are reduced into a thick purée. This step concentrates the flavors to…

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  Hot Buttered Rum Apple Cider

  This is the kind of drink that warms you from the inside out. It scales down easily, making it a nice evening treat when you’re not entertaining, and the rum…

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  Pork Chops and Charred Applesauce

  This applesauce is a great larder staple. The smokiness from charring takes away some of the apples’ natural tartness, the caramelized sugars give it a rich, complex taste, and the…