Quick Homemade Apple Cider Vinegar- A Healthy Supplement Perfect for Homemade Gift Giving!
It's easy to make a seasonal batch of homemade organic apple cider vinegar, and dress it up with herbs for gift giving. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) makes a great homemade gift, plus the health benefits are abundant! Choose organically grown local apples for fresh results. You can make a fresh batch of homemade apple cider, using apple peelings and cores, in as little as four weeks.
When making applesauce or dehydrating apples, save the cores and peels to create a batch or two of super easy and taste tantalizing Apple Cider Vinegar. Or simply cut and peel your favorite organic fall apples.
Step One: Save peelings and cores after preparing apples.
Step Two: Let peelings sit overnight, then add to container and fill with enough distilled or purified water to cover the cores and peels. Cover with a breathable cloth, then stir occasionally- once a day if possible. Let the peelings remain in the water for two to three weeks. Remember to let as much air into the mix as possible, while keeping the peelings covered in the liquid. Using distilled or purified water will speed up the fermentation process; tap water contains additives that will discourage the natural yeast growth and alcohol fermentation. Keep at room temperature. Old crockpots make great containers, the containers shown here were all purchased at a local thrift store. Crockpots have a larger surface area than regular glass canning bottles, which means more air will be incorporated into the liquid for a faster ferment.
Step Three: After 2-3 weeks, when the mix smells like cider, add 1 Tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar with the mother- Bragg's makes a great organic Apple Cider Vinegar. Times are approximate, the first batch made this fall had an enticing aroma after two weeks.
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| Two week old organic apple cider vinegar |
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| Thin ACV Scoby, after 6 weeks |
Step Four: Let the mix steep for two to four more weeks, depending on the strength you want the vinegar.
Step Five: Remove peels and cores, strain vinegar through cheesecloth or paper filter into permanent container. Filtering stops the fermentation process.
The final container can be anything you choose other than metal. Check to make sure any decorative glass containers are lead free before using. You may steep in herbs at this stage.
You can also make Fire Cider, using the finished homemade Apple Cider Vinegar, as an effective winter preventative and remedy for colds and flu.
There are many recipes for Fire Cider, most have a base of Onion, Garlic, Hot Peppers, Horseradish. Some add citrus for a Vitamin C boost.
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| Onions, Chives, Garlic, Hot Peppers can be used with moderation for flavoring. |
Enjoy Apple Cider Vinegar year round, as a supplement, for salad dressing, or add a teaspoon to pie crust. For poultry, pet and small livestock health, many site the benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar added to the water supply, as a natural digestive aid and antibiotic.
Here is an interesting historic war time recipe for cider:
Put cider in a barrel or keg. The bung hole must be left open and protected from insects by tacking a piece of cheesecloth over it. Keep in a moderately warm place. It will be ready for use in from four to six months. If a very strong vinegar is desired, add three tablespoons of brown sugar to each gallon of cider.
Credit: War Food - Practical and Economical Methods of Keeping Vegetables, Fruits, and Meats. By Amy L. Handy, Houghton Mifflin Company, 1917
Sources / Credits: This blog is a compilation of online research into making Apple Cider Vinegar using apple peels, and general knowledge of fermentation techniques. This method was chosen because it fits perfectly into the apple preserving process I already have in place, and makes a good use out of the scraps, without the need for special equipment.
Credits: Victorio Apple Peeler, an essential tool in the kitchen for anyone that owns an apple tree, or loves fresh apples.
Blog Credits: There are a plethora of blogs, using different techniques, about homemade apple cider vinegar making.
http://www.earthclinic.com/remedies/how_to_make_apple_cider_vinegar.html
http://thehealthyeatingsite.com/apple-cider-vinegar-recipe/
http://www.darkrye.com/cultivate4/
