Apple Cider Pressing

Does anything say "Fall" like crisp foggy mornings, falling leaves of gold and scarlet, and the first sweet taste of just pressed apple cider?

To make cider, you must have a cider press, a variety of sweet and tart apples (a few pears for added flavor), bottles to capture your efforts, and plenty of willing friends to turn the flywheel. Grinding takes effort and strong arms and back but "many hands make light work".

Saturday found the Lady and Gentleman Farmer gathering many varieties of apples on the Farm. We then hurried off to a friends home with our bounty at the invitation for our annual cider pressing party. The apples were washed with clear, cold water, sorted into baskets containing the many varieties, slowly dropped into the hopper of the press and chopped, the juicy bits raining down into the basket below. You then shake down the bits so it can be filled to the top and when it is full, move the basket down under the press. Then the press is turned and the sweet, amber liquid begins to flow, gently at first but then rushes down to the pan (or into eagerly awaiting glasses to be filled with that golden ambrosia. Be prepared to be kissed by Autumn!)

Our return for our efforts was greatly rewarded with many gallons to be "put back" ( in the freezer) for future days.

When the cold wind blows and the rain drenches the land, The Lady and Gentleman Farmers can sit back and enjoy a cozy fire, a good book and a steaming cup of hot, pure apple cider.

"Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will pour into your lap. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return." Luke 6:38

"Keep me as the apple of the eye..." Psalms 17:8

"Prepares her food in the summer, and gathers her provision in the harvest." Proverbs 6:8

"...my cup runneth over." Psalm 23:5