Apple cider and apple juice: what's the difference? Well, it depends…
Outside the United States, cider usually refers to a fermented, alcoholic beverage. It's what Americans call hard cider. But within the US, the distinction between apple cider and juice isn't always clear.
When most of us think of apple cider, we probably picture an opaque, highly perishable apple drink available at farm stands and markets in the autumn. It's juice, but unfiltered and sometimes unpasteurized. In unpasteurized apple cider, naturally occurring yeasts can cause fermentation, making the drink slightly fizzy and alcoholic over time.
Some states spell out a distinct difference between apple cider and juice. For example, the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources specifies that "Fresh cider is raw apple juice that has not undergone a filtration process to remove coarse particles of pulp or sediment .... Apple juice is juice that has been filtered to remove solids and pasteurized so that it will stay fresh longer."
In other places, apple cider refers to juice made from apples picked early in the season. Then there are companies like Martinelli's that use the terms solely as marketing. On their website, they admit their clear, shelf-stable "apple juice and cider are the same; the only difference is the label .... some consumers simply prefer the traditional name for apple juice."
What's the difference in your mind? Do you prefer one or the other?
Check out these posts for apple cider inspiration:
• Apple Cider Campout in Sonoma
• Make Apple Cider In Your French Press
• Recipe Roundup: Apple Cider Recipes
Related: Ginger Ale vs. Ginger Beer: What's the Difference?
(Images: Flickr member dipfan licensed under Creative Commons)
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Did you know at Starbucks they do not use real cider, only AJ? Barnes & Noble Cafe serving Starbucks coffee often uses real local Apple Juice. I've worked at both.
If it's clear and yellow you've got juice there fella, if it's tangy and brown you're in cider town.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEZVZ-2k6Po
what photovoltage said :)
oh it's been too long since I've had a good unpasteurized apple cider. too long.
Is good cider only available on the east coast? In more than 10 years in Utah, I've yet to find any good cider (despite the fact that apples are grown here).
lazy_lurker, I think you are correct. I've been on the Left Coast for about 10 years now and I have yet to find a good cider. I think it's because people tend to pasteurize the heck out of juices here due to a scare about 15 years ago or so. Boy do I mix autumn with fresh cake donuts and apple cider. SIGH.
First time I hear anyone say cider is a non alcoholic beverage. What would you know. ;)
I find that Simply Apple apple juice tastes more like fresh cider than the stuff they sell as "cider" in milk jugs at the grocery store. (I promise they don't pay me! I was just veeeery disappointed in the cider I bought the other day. Sigh. Time to go look for an orchard.)
In my book, cider is either alcoholic, or on the rare occasion, mulled cloudy apple juice. Cloudy apple juice is the unfiltered juice of apples, and just plain apple juice is the filtered variety. I cringe when I hear the words "hard cider," it just makes me think of mike's hard lemonade and I feel dirty.
Good lord, no. The best cider I've ever had has come from small cider mills in Washington (and yes, I've had cider from MD, NY, PA and several other states.) I still dream about the stuff they produce in Pullman from the WSU orchards. Heavenly.
The main problem is that most people weren't raised on anything fresh, good or strong enough, or have to have stuff pasteurized before they'll drink it. Also related, choice of apples, and what condition they're in makes a huge difference. A perfect eating apple is generally a poor cider apple, and a blend of varieties usually makes for a better taste.
@lazy_lurker & ATN654 it can be found in California, specifically the Apple Hill area around Camino. I know that's a bit far from Utah :/
Would you rather they called it raw apple juice? We teetotalers need a drink in Autumn as well. :P