Difference Between

Apple Juice vs Apple Cider

There are many who say that they like apple cider more than apple juice, but are they talking about one and the same thing or apple juice and apple cider really different from one another? This is one question that has confused many in the past. This article will put to rest once and for always by pointing out the differences between apple juice and apple cider. For starters, apple juice and apple cider are beverages that are made from apples and there are slight differences in the process of making these drinks.

What is Apple Cider?

Fresh cider is nothing but apple juice but it has not been filtered to remove coarse particles of apple pulp. To make a gallon of cider, one needs a third of a bushel. Making of fresh cider involves washing, cutting and mashing of fresh apples to a consistency of applesauce. Different layers of this mash are wrapped in cloth and then stacked in racks. Using a hydraulic press, these layers are pressed to extract juice that flows into refrigerated tanks. Apple cider is this juice bottled up.

On the other hand, apple juice is fresh juice of apples that has been filtered to remove all sediments and the pulp so that it remains fresh for long and also does not get any chance to ferment and develop alcoholic taste or kick. This fresh juice is additionally filtered and vacuum sealed so that it stays fresh for a longer time and does not get stale.

Cider needs constant refrigeration as it is perishable. It stays fresh and sweet for up to two weeks. You can also get it frozen but it is better to pour off a little from the container before freezing as it expands during the process.

If you are in the US, any fresh apple juice that contains the pulp is referred to as apple cider. If you filter this drink, it is nothing but apple juice. However, if you are in UK, apple cider is known as an alcoholic drink as the liquid is allowed to ferment to have an alcoholic taste and kick. This cider is called hard cider while the traditional cider is known as soft cider.

Apple juice stays fresh for longer than apple cider as the presence of pulp in cider causes it to go stale. The color of apple juice bought in the market is different and is yellow in color while home made apple juice is brownish in appearance. This is because filtration is done several times to remove any particle or pulp from the juice. One thing to remember when buying apple cider is to always buy pasteurized cider as un-pasteurized cider contains bacteria and fungi which may be detrimental for your health.