We took another trip to Hergott's Cider Mill this evening to stock up before they close near the end of the month. They are located in Waterloo, ON which is a hop, skip and a jump from our fair city. It is a bit of a shame that we just found them last month and they will be retiring this season. I hope someone will take over the operation because I am not sure if we will find another place that produces raw cider.
On today's shopping list was 20 liters (5.25gallons) of unpasteurized, preservative free cider. The cider was pressed from Empire apples and was pressed well we waited. One jug will be drank fresh, one will be used for cider jelly and the last three will be froze for a later batch of hard cider. I may get some more before they close for the freezer, I am a bit of a cider junky.... I have always loved the stuff.
Other local consumables include two 500g jars of natures blend honey, a 500g jar of creamed wildflower honey, a small jar of pear butter and a 2 liter (1/2 gallon) jug of cider vinegar.
All their honey's are unpasteurized and they willcontinue to sell honey products in retirement.
The cider vinegar is also unpasteurized and aged in wood barrels. The side reads, Recipe: 1 tsp raw cider vinegar, 1 tsp unpasteurized honey and one glass of water. I am guessing that will cure what ales ya :-) This vinegar will make it into next years canning
Oooh, Empire apples are really good, that cider must be fantastic! And the honey, and the vinegar, and the apple butter... what a wonderful haul. I used to buy a case of quart jugs of unpasteurized cider at the farmer's market where I used to live and freeze them to drink through the year. The unpasteurized is really difficult to find here also, you have to get it from a grower.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of creamed honey before. What does it taste like and do they whip it somehow to get it that color?
ReplyDeleteMMMMM, it all looks delicious!!!
ReplyDeleteTheir products are really lovely. Come on Dan, Hergott's is calling your name !
ReplyDeleteCider jelly? I never would have thought of that. We live near Julian, CA, where our local apples come from. I may take a run up there to see if there is any cider left, but it's pretty much the end of the season. Maybe next year. There is a U-pick place with Empire apples. Very tasty variety.
ReplyDeleteMichelle - The cider is very nice, sweet with a sour finish. The taste difference from raw to pasteurized is amazing. Even the smell, the stuff smells just like a sliced apple. I may build a small press next season if I can't source it any more.
ReplyDeleteThomas - The creamed honey is crystallized with very fine crystals, like rock candy but on a much smaller scale. I have had it from the grocery store and it is kind of grainy, this honey is as smooth as silk. Taste wise it is the same, it has a very nice mouth feel and spreads well.
Chiot's Run - A Successful trip :-)
Miss M - The place is pretty cool but it is in a bad location. Landfill across the road, golf course with big lights to the west, subdivisions to the east and hardly any apple trees are on the property. My family has always wanted an orchard though, maybe some day....
Lou - This will be my first attempt at cider jelly. I am going to reduce it on the stove by a quarter and then add pectin & sugar. I will post the recipe within a few days. Most places that press apples will continue into the winter with stored apples so cider should not be hard to find.
Speaking of apples, I'm making apple butter this weekend. WooHoo! I bet that cider is some good stuff.
ReplyDeleteEG - Apple butter is some pretty good stuff, I have never made it before though. I will have to watch for your post on it. I am going to try out the pear butter tomorrow, I bet it's really good.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds delicious. I really ought to make my own hard cider. I used to love the Cider Jack cranberry apple cider. I could always make my own. Too bad my mom lives 2000 miles away. She has all the equipment.
ReplyDeleteDaphne - 2000 miles away, that is pretty far. You really don't need much equipment for the cider, about 20 bucks for a 5 gallon food grade pail & lid, airlock, yeast & food grade siphoning hose. The only thing that seems expensive is if you want glass bottles. I order champagne bottles but you can get plastic beer bottles for about $0.40 each with screw tops. I would love the recipe for the apple cranberry cider if you have it?
ReplyDeleteOh boy... now I am totally craving apple cider and creamed honey! That all looks like really quality products.
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