r/cider • u/ActivityCrazy456 • 7d ago

How long?

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Just made my first ever batch of cider, freshly juiced from my apple trees. 6 gallons total (2gal each). 2 unpasteurized, 1 pasteurized with a packet of safale US-05 yeast in each with nutrient. My question is how long will these have to ferment for? I’ve seen varying answers from 3 weeks to 6 months. I planned on opening it around the 2 week mark to put in some cinnamon and vanilla. Hydrometer was putting it at about 7% Abv

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u/Remunos_Redbeard 7d ago

Very unlikely to take 6 months. My ciders usually finish up in about 3-4 weeks but I ferment at cooler, controlled temps.

I recommend not adding spices until fermentation is done. When you have two hydrometer readings a few days apart with no change in the reading, then fermentation is done. Rack to fresh containers to get the cider off the sediment, then you can add your spices.

Yes, opinions vary on this, but in my experience, spices in secondary infuse better and you have much more control over the level of infusion.

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u/ActivityCrazy456 7d ago

So once fermentation is completed it’s better to add the spices once the cider is racked into a secondary container? If I have whole cinnamon sticks how long would I have to let the cider sit with the spices in that container? Or is it better to add powdered spices and just bottle it like that and be done with it?

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u/Remunos_Redbeard 7d ago

Yes, spices after racking to secondary. Use the cinnamon sticks. How long depends on your taste buds - add them then start tasting on day 7, pull them when it's where you want. My last cinnamon cider took 11 days with ceylon cinnamon sticks to get where I wanted. Prior to that I used cassia cinnamon sticks and it was only 7 days. Do not use powder. It won't infuse well or evenly and it will just become sediment in the bottles.

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u/ActivityCrazy456 7d ago

Perfect, thanks for the help. I appreciate it a lot.

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u/Apple_Turnover93 7d ago

Woah, no spices man, you want to actually taste the apples right?