OT: Hot Apple Cider Question

Submitted by seanml11 on
I was born in Michigan and lived there untill the fourth grade. My favorite beverage when Fall and Winter came into its own was hot apple cider. I'm 33 years old and currently live in Orlando, FL and I long for some good cider. I went to my first Michigan game three years ago and FREAKED OUT when I was able to get hot apple cider and a bag of donuts at the Big House. The hot apple cider at the game tasted the exact same as when I had cider as a kid. Can someone please tell me how to make it or where to buy it? I have had many different hot ciders down here in FL and they just don't tast the same. I know this request is pretty damn vague, but I would love to be able to have some Michigan cider and let my kids experience it as well. I asked my parents if they had any idea how it was made or had any recipes and they answered no to both questions. When I asked them why the apple cider down here just doesn't taste the same they said it probably is a different type of apple that Michigan produces. Any insight would be helpfull! THANKS!
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white_pony_rocks

September 24th, 2009 at 11:07 PM ^

not sure where you are getting it, and that may be the problem. if you are buying from a grocery store, stop and look online for an apple orchard to buy directly from. I know cider is a northern product, but it's worth a try. I know the stuff you can get here at whole foods is shitty and whole foods sells some pretty good products. That just shows you need to look for an orchard and hope they make it

Joined: 02/16/2009

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adamsojo

September 25th, 2009 at 12:18 AM ^

The federal government requires most fresh cider to be pasteurized before sale. The only exception is for sales directly from producers to consumers (so no middleman like a grocery store). Therefore, the only way to get real, authentic, unpasteurized cider is from a local cider mill - fairly common in Michigan, probably much less common in Texas and Florida. Around Ann Arbor, I like the Dexter cider mill in Dexter and Parmenter's Cider Mill in Northville. Parmenter's has the best cider donuts, ever.

Joined: 07/22/2008

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Seth

September 25th, 2009 at 7:28 AM ^

There's one in Franklin that we've been going to since I was a little kid. Where I grew up used to be an apple orchard, so everyone has apple trees in their yards. So our neighbor and my dad bought an apple press. (kinda like this: http://www.amazon.com/8002K-Cider-Press-Kit/dp/B000X1ERK0/ref=sr_1_8?ie…) We have a crushing event for our neighborhood every year. Everyone brings their apples (and pears), and we sometimes supplement with a cart from the orchard. That cider lasts me all year.

Joined: 10/14/2008

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cjm

September 25th, 2009 at 7:44 PM ^

Didn't mean to steal the joy. I'm down here in Arlington Texas and like the OP missing REAL apple cider. That's why a quick google search was al I needed to pop up several good homemade options. Plus it's always fun to find places to use "Let Me Google That For You."

Joined: 11/17/2008

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