We tasted through a baker’s dozen of apple cider brands, from Tree Top to Trader Joe’s, Martinelli’s and more. The results were very surprising indeed.
The best apple cider takes like just-picked apples, so fresh they could have been pressed in an orchard that morning. Wandering an apple orchard and biting into just-picked orbs of juicy sweetness makes for a memorable autumn adventure. But if you don’t have time for that, pouring a glass of just-pressed apple cider summons fall flavors, too, and that seasonal favorite is stacked on store shelves at this time of year.
Before you grab that jug of apple cider, though, it pays to understand what cider is — or should be. Apple cider is made from pressed, smashed, pureed or otherwise pulverized apples, nothing more. Cider is typically light brown in color, always cloudy due to apple pectin, and comes in both refrigerated and shelf-stable versions. By contrast, apple juice is typically fully filtered, often made from apple concentrate and may include added sugar.
Great apple cider is fresh-pressed, pasteurized with UV light and never boiled, steamed or otherwise cooked. It delivers a refreshingly bright punch of juicy goodness, with a touch of tannin. Bad apple cider can be cloyingly sweet, due to over-ripe apples, or it may taste like old, overcooked apples.
Reviews are based on product samples purchased by this newspaper or provided by manufacturers. Contact Jolene Thym at [email protected]. Read more Taste-off columns atMiss Manners: The bride's dress code for wedding guests strikes me as pretentiousAsk Amy: Am I wrong to promise him a baby if he agrees not to go to war?Oakland man allegedly made $20 fentanyl deal in San Francisco.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Why Many Broncos Fans Are Pissed Off at Win Over Green BayTo tank or not to tank: That is the question.
Read more »
UAW strike update: Ford lays off 360+ more employees; 3,100 laid off since start of strikeMore than 360 Ford employees were laid off starting Monday as the UAW strike continues.
Read more »
An off-duty pilot attempted to shut off the engines in flight, Alaska Airlines saysAn Alaska Airlines flight was forced to make an unexpected landing after an off-duty pilot who was riding in the cockpit allegedly attempted to disable the aircraft's engines.
Read more »
Off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot accused of trying to shut off plane's enginesThe pilot was aboard a Horizon Airlines flight from Seattle to San Francisco when he is accused of trying to take over the aircraft, the airline said.
Read more »
Off-duty pilot tried to shut off engine mid-flightJoseph David Emerson was charged with 83 counts of attempted murder and 83 counts of reckless endangerment, along with endangering an aircraft.
Read more »
Snapp Shots: Lake Merritt Breakfast Club celebrating 90th anniversaryNate is an East Bay community papers editor for the East Bay Times and Bay Area News Group.
Read more »