Autumn's Story: Cider Making

So those of you on Facebook and Google+ have probably seen a ton of photos of our family's cider making operation... but, unless you've either helped us in the past or you make your own cider, there's a good chance you don't fully understand how the process goes. Well, here it is, step-by-step:

1. Find an orchard that will sell you drops by the truck load. We recommend Green Mountain Orchards.

2. Gather the apples... Hint: Banana boxes work well... but they melt if it rains...we use plastic bins, instead.

3. Fill a 8 foot truck bed.... or build an equivalent (or two!) out of plywood and 2x4s. Hint: Friends usually make the process faster and easier.

5. Find and acquire an antique cider press. Craigslist is a good place to check.

6. Find a place to set up the operation.

7. Collect clean gallon jugs. Water jugs work best, no washing required. Hint: Try your dentist office- their machines go through a lot of distilled water.

8. Start by washing the apples and cutting out and bad spots (open wound, really ugly bruise).

9. Pro tip: Warm water keeps the washers happy. Use a blacksmith forge to heat water if one is handy.

10. Rinse apples twice in bleach water, then place in storage container to await pressing.

11. Grind the apples to small chucks in the first section of the cider press.

12. Slide the wooden bucket over, put wooden cap on and press!

13. Carry bowl full of cider over to homemade filter tower and pour in the top.

14. No filter tower? Sorry, I must have skipped a step. Get some 4 gallon buckets and add spigots to each one. Buy some wire mesh and make into filter screens.