How to Make Yeast for Making Hard Cider

If you don't have access to a brew shop that sells yeast, or you just LIKE making your own stuff, here's a recipe for making jug yeast from fruit.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• organic, unwashed fruit (10 grapes or 1 apple). More if you want more yeast
• blender or food processor
• jar
• plastic wrap
• pin
• rubber band

1. Put unwashed fruit into a food processor or blender and blend until mushy. It's okay to add a little water, but don't add much. You don't have to remove seeds if using an apple, but I would (I'm not sure how it would affect flavor...)

2. Pour contents into the jar. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and secure with the rubber band. Pinprick the wrap with the pin.

3. Put in a dark, warmish place (65-75 is great) for about a week. Check on it and see if it is bubbling. After about a week, use 1/2 cup of this mixture per recipe of cider (see my Cider recipe) and keep any leftovers alive in the fridge.
   I always strain the solids from cider after the first usage and keep the dregs that land at the bottom as my active yeast. Email me with questions!

Tips & Warnings

• I add sugar-about 1 T. per 1/2 cup of jug yeast-to keep the yeast active.