What is the difference between apple juice and apple cider?

sequoianoir

Alcohol ! Oct 28 03, 4:55 PM

lothruin

DB is correct, I think. There is some debate about the difference between juice and cider, without bringing HARD cider in, which is an alcoholic beverage. Even juice and cider makers in the US disagree about the definitions. For the most part, apple cider is unpasteurized. The stuff you get in plastic jugs off the shelves at the store is pasteurized. This cider doesn't taste much different than juice. Pasteurization disallows any fermentation to occur, whereas fresh cider, bought from a stand, an orchard, etc., or from regrigerated jugs at the store, (if you live in apple country,) will slowly ferment, and have a slight alcoholic kick to it. Another theory/possibility is that early harvest apples are used for cider, thereby elevating the acid/sugar ratio, giving cider a sharp, tangy taste compared to juice, which is made from ripe apples. Of course, it might be a combination of the two. Personally, I prefer cider. Hot. With spices. Fresh from the orchard a couple miles away. Mmm. Oct 28 03, 5:36 PM

bootsmom

Aging or Fermentation Oct 28 03, 5:55 PM

Gnomon

In the Europe, Cider is an alcoholic drink. If it does not have about 5% alcohol, then it is not cider. In America, cider means a totally different thing. Hard cider is the same as European cider, but some cider is just like apple juice. Oct 29 03, 2:08 AM

shady shaker

This info comes from The Concise Larousse Gastronomique: "A drink produced by the natural fermentation of apple juice......The word comes from the Greek 'sikera' (intoxicating drink) and the production of cider certainly dates from antiquity.....Several hundred varieties of apple are used for the manufacture of cider;....some are sweet, but most are rather bittef or even sour. The cider-maker's skill lies in blending different varieties to obtain an agreeable and well-balanced cider." Oct 29 03, 6:35 AM

sequoianoir

As I originally said - ALCOHOL ! cider Middle English sidre, from Old French sidre,(French cidre) from Late Latin sicera, intoxicating drink, from Greek sikera, of Semitic origin. skr in Semitic Roots Hebrew. sh[=a]kar to be intoxicated, sh[=e]k[=a]r strong drink.] also of Oriental origin Oct 29 03, 7:14 AM

lothruin

This appears to be one of those region specific questions. Cider in the US DOES refer to a different beverage than the generic term does in Europe. So I guess we need to ask Hamlet exactly what type of cider he is referring to. Oct 29 03, 10:27 AM

Hamlet.

American cider which is a popular Halloween treat... Oct 29 03, 2:23 PM

lothruin

Well, in that case, Hamlet, the difference might in fact be trace amounts of alcohol, due to the fact that in general true (fresh) "cider" has not been pasteurized, and therefore some fermentation occurs. It might also be the acidity content due to early harvest apples. But the clear "Cider" you buy in plastic jugs off the shelves at HyVee is for all intents and purposes apple juice being marketed for the fall months. Oct 29 03, 10:04 PM

Create a Free FunTrivia ID to add to, request more/new answers, or edit this entry

What is the difference between apple cider and apple juice? What is the culinary history of apple cider jelly? In the UK it's generally understood that cider is made from apples, so why do Americans use the term "apple cider"? Are there any other kinds of cider that are not made from apples? What is the difference between juice and nectar?

1 The Big Apple A little bit of everything about New York City. Hope you enjoy it. New York City Average 10 Q vikan Dec 28 00 6066 plays 2 The Dilemma of the Apple This should be a fairly simple quiz on "Children of Eden". If you've seen the show. Good Luck! C Tough 5 Q glamgoddess31 Feb 27 03 141 plays 3 The Big Apple I grew up in New York City and I am very proud of that fact. Here are some questions about that great city . Good luck and have fun. New York City Tough 10 Q diamondjim68 Sep 19 04 843 plays