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By HELEN SMITH
Extension Agent, Home Economics
Baskets of apples and jugs of cider are starting to appear at the roadside fruit stands and orchards in ■ Rappahannock County.
Since I frequently get calls from ! consumers regarding apple cider at the ; Extension Office this time of year, I ; wiH attempt to answer a few of the common questions in my nutrition column this week.
What is Apple Cider?
Apple cider is made by squeezing apples in a cider press. The liquid col, lected from the press is a rich, golden . caramel color. Very tiny bits of apple floating in the juice make the cider opaque.
Cider is an American favorite, particularly in the fall and winter. The ■ word "cider" itself brings to mind • images of fall-a brisk chill in the air, brightly-colored fall leaves and warm, roaring fires. Cider is equally good • chilled or warmed.
When further filtered to remove all ; bits of apples, the liquid becomes another favorite family beverage, apple juice. Generations of children have been raised on the wholesomeness of apple juice.
Is there any difference between apple cider and apple juice?
The answer is yes. Both come from apples that are pressed hard enough to squeeze the liquid out of them, but apple juice is typically sterilized by pasteurization.
Apple cider, on the other hand, is the "raw" unpasteurized product often sold on roadside stands during the fall months. While some people prefer the . clear, sparkling look of apple juice, L for many who enjoy taking a drive in the country to view the fall colors and go apple picking, supermarket apple juice just can't compare to a jug of cider purchased along the way. A producer told me "apple cider is apple juice with the romance and folklove added."
How does the apple industry make sure cider is safe?
Cider producers take great care to provide a wholesome product. Some of the good manufacturing practices they use include:
• washing and brushing apples before pressing them into cider;
• utilizing cold,storage;
• labelling cider containers with lot numbers and expiration dates; and
• testing the product to ensure no impurities exist.
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