Things You'll Need:
- Gallon of cider (preservative free)
- Yeast (champagne or cider yeast preferably)
- balloon
- tubing or cheese cloth and funnel
- empty jug
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Step 1
Pick up some fresh cider at your local farm stand. It must be preservative free or the fermentation will not occur. I am going to tell you how to make it in a 1 gallon jug, since this is usually what you buy it in.
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Step 2
Pour a glass of cider out of the jug. You will need a little space in the jug. Add about 1/2 a packet of champagne or cider yeast. It usually needs to be dissolved in warm water first, read the directions on the packet. Then just pour it in the jug of cider. Honestly, I have tried it with organic yeast from the grocery store too and it came out ok. Sometimes it may have a doughy smell though.
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Step 3
Take a balloon and poke a pin hole in it. Place the balloon on top of the jug. The pin hole allows the air to escape, but also keeps out germs.
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Step 4
Let the jug sit for at least a week. You will notice some bubbling and air in the balloon during the week.
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Step 5
After the week is up and all bubbling has subsided, you need to transfer it into a clean cider jug. Do this by either siphoning it with clean tubing or pouring it through cheese cloth. This prevent the sludge on the bottom from getting into the new jug. Do not cap the jug, put a fresh balloon on it. It will continue to ferment and needs the air escape.
