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Apple Cider
unfiltered, non-alcoholic
According to the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural, an apple cider is a raw apple juice that has not undergone a filtration process to remove the coarse particles of pulp an apple.This coarse pulp left in the apple cider can react and trigger a fermentation that latter on add alcohol into the juice. It is important to remember to keep an apple cider in a refrigerator to prevent the fermentation to happen.
To make a raw apple cider, apples are cut and grinned, then put into cloth, and pressed. Taste wise, an apple cider is more complex than an apple juice. It is sweet, tart, and earthier in taste than apple juice because of the left over apple pulp particles. Raw apple cider makers are very particular in creating their cider to achieve a specific tartness and sweetness flavor. Sometime, they would mix the apple juice with berry too.
Apple Juice
filtered, non-alcoholic
An apple juice is a filtered apple cider. The filtration process remove all the coarse particles of apple pulp that results in a golden color apple juice. Since the filtration process remove all the particles medium for the fermentation to happen, the shelf life of apple juice is longer.
Apple Cider Vinegar
vinegar from Apple
Apple cider vinegar is another apple product that you might find the in the grocery store. They are simply a vinegar made of apple cider. It is used in cooking, baking, salad dressing, and as a preservatives. Apple cider vinegar, although not suggested to be consumed directly due to the acidity, is an ancient remedy. A single or two drops of it added into your hot cup of water or tea, might improve heart health, help to lose weight, and improve blood sugar level.
Hard Cider
unfiltered, fermented, alcoholic
Hard cider is basically a fermented apple cider. In the process, apple are first crushed into apple cider juice, fermented to get alcohol into the juice, and filtered to get the pure liquid of hard apple cider. It is then blended with additional ingredients to achieve a certain flavor profile and then bottled for distribution.
Is Drinking Hard Cider Healthier than Beer?
Some people are debating whether drinking hard cider is healthier than beer. Scientific researches have found the health benefit of drinking alcoholic beverages (e.g.: wine, beer, and spirits) such as lowering the risk of heart disease, cognitive decline, and dementia when consumed modestly. Hard cider itself is a combination of apple and yeast, great source of vitamin C and antioxidant that protects the heart and reduce the risk of asthma and diabetes. Both hard cider and beer, contain similar calories per serving number. However, hard cider, since it is an apple based drink, is sweeter and contains more carbohydrates in nature.
Another benefit of hard cider is that it is gluten free. Hard ciders are made out of apple who are gluten free, so most hard ciders that you can find the market are gluten free (e.g.: Woodchuck, Angry Orchard, Crispin). It can be a substitute of beer for people with Celiac disease. However, there are some exceptions. Some ciders may contain a trace of gluten due to the gluten-based yield used in the production process. You will need check the label before drinking the hard cider.
Cheers!
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