Apple Cider vs. Apple Juice: What’s the Difference, Anyway? Apple juice is very similar to apple cider, except it goes through both a filtration process and pasteurization process. I think of cider as the cloudy, unfiltered non-alcoholic juice or the fermented, alcoholic variety. Apple Cider refers to unfiltered apple juice that’s usually unsweetened and non-alcoholic. What's the difference? What does this mean for the final product? But regardless of which one you prefer to imbibe; apple juice and apple cider are not necessarily interchangeable when it comes to cooking. 12 Answers. Overall, both beverages are obtained from apples and the variation only comes due to differences in the fruit’s processing. It boils down to taste! “Tasters were turned off by excessive sweetness in the dishes made with apple juice, unanimously preferring those made with cider.” The culinary researchers go on to explain that this result is rather unsurprising, because “the filtration process used in making juice removes some of the complex, tart, and bitter flavors that are still present in cider.” What does it all mean? Key difference: The two liquids made from apples sound similar, but are different in their contents.An apple juice is a normal fruit juice, which is obtained by pressing the apples, whereas an apple cider is an unfiltered, unsweetened, non-alcoholic beverage. However, it’s not the favorite among children due to its solid constituents and other organic elements. Apples are ground into a consistency much like applesauce then wrapped in cheesecloth and pressed until the cider is extracted. Apple juice or apple cider are almost staples around our home. While apple cider will give a unique fermented taste, akin to vinegar, apple juice offers sweet BBQ. As a stand-alone beverage, the choice between apple juice and cider is simply a matter of personal preference. Additionally, apple juice is sweetened and has a longer shelf life when compared to apple cider. However, if you have not used them before, when someone says that he/she likes apple cider more than apple juice, you may think are they talking about one and the same thing or apple juice and apple cider really different from one another? If you are using filtered apple juice, then racking isn’t necessary. . Apple cider (also called sweet cider or soft cider or simply cider) is the name used in the United States and Canada for an unfiltered, unsweetened, non-alcoholic beverage made from apples.Though typically referred to simply as "cider" in the United States, it is not to be confused with the alcoholic beverage known as cider in other places, which is called "hard cider" in the US. Consequently, the latter is thicker and more nutritious. Gallery: 12 Essential Bourbons for Your Liquor Cabinet (Food & Wine). “It’s kind of the most raw form of apple juice that you can get,” he adds. 0 0. Outside the U.S., however, you can pretty much count on the fact that anything labeled as cider is hard enough to make you blush. anything else interesting about apples/apple cider/apple juice? We’ve shown in various xBmts that level of alcohol in beer doesn’t seem to have a huge perceptible impact, and the cheap juice cider was only 0.7% ABV lower than the expensive juice cider. A: Unless apple cider is “hard” (that is, fermented and alcoholic), there’s no official difference between cider and apple juice. Apple Cider vs Apple Juice. As such, you should only choose your preferred beverage based on what you like. Show full articles without "Continue Reading" button for {0} hours. We continue to offer the cider label since some consumers simply prefer the traditional name for apple juice,” says their website. Just like cider, apple juice is obtained from apples but it is more refined. Lakewood Organic Apple Juice, 32-Ounce Bottles (Pack of 6) 4.7 out of 5 stars 185 Martinelli's Gold Medal 100% Pure Unfiltered Apple Juice, 50.7 OZ Bottle (Pack of 8, Total of 405.6 Oz) But wait, what is cider (and is it the same as the juice box you put in your kid’s lunch)? If this happens, your apple cider will be fizzy and alcoholic over time. It’s apple picking season, the air is cool and a hot mug of cider is sure to hit the spot. The roughage in the apple is removed, thus making the juice a bit lighter when compared to cider. Answer Save. Read the Pasteurized vs. Unpasteurized Apple Cider discussion from the Chowhound General Discussion, Cider food community. But what exactly is the difference between apple juice and apple cider? Microsoft may earn an Affiliate Commission if you purchase something through recommended links in this article. On the contrary, apple cider vinegar is fermented apple juice. As such, you should only buy the latter if you want to use it within 7 days. At the end of it all, you’ll be able to make a perfect apple juice vs. apple cider option! Your email address will not be published. Ordinarily, apple juicing can be complex, making it largely feasible for large scale producers. Additionally, the juice has preservatives and sweeteners, which compromise the natural constituents of organic elements. However, the two will yield different tastes. … Comprehensive Comparison. Additionally, you should avoid apple cider if you’re buying the drink for children. Apples offer phenomenal juicing options, with the most common ones being apple cider and apple juice. Pasteurization: Apple cider may or may not be pasteurized. I think of apple juice as the clear, filtered non-alcoholic stuff on supermarket shelves. I use Trader Joe's organic apple cider as an appetite suppressant. I take one spoon full in the morning before anything else, and drink a glass of water with it. “Both are 100% pure juice from U.S. grown fresh apples. How Sleep Deprivation Affects Digestion – Backed by Research, What Can You Cook In a Roaster Oven? Juice is usually filtered and hence clear, while cider may contain apple solids and may be darker. Additionally, apple cider is pasteurized to kill microbes and improve its shelf life. Immediately after extraction, the juice undergoes enzymatic and centrifugal treatment to remove pectin and other fiber elements. Here are some of the most common differences between the two: In some regions, the difference between apple juice and apple cider is based on the type of apples used. Cider (noun). Apple Juice vs Apple Cider – Is There Any Difference? A full-bodied unfiltered cider made with a blend of racked apple-wine and smooth honey is … Overall, apple cider is the juice made from apples picked earlier in the season. Typically, you will find that apple cider is a dark, opaque color whereas apple juice … It’s apple picking season, the air is cool and a hot mug of cider is sure to hit the spot. Apple Cider unfiltered, non-alcoholic According to the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural, an apple cider is a raw apple juice that has not undergone a filtration process to remove the coarse particles of pulp an apple.This coarse pulp left in the apple cider … 9 Incredible Foods, How to Use Mr. Coffee Iced Tea Maker – 6 Simple Steps, How to Clean Stainless Steel Pans – 5 Unique Methods. Both filtered and unfiltered apple cider vinegar are great for weight loss because they both have acetic acid but the latter is largely considered to be better because it still has the “mother”. Organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar also contains a substance called mother, which consists of strands of proteins, enzymes, and friendly bacteria that give the product a murky appearance. As such, you should always buy pasteurized apple cider if you don’t want it to turn alcoholic. Apple juice is more palatable and will certainly receive a better reception from children. Per the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR), “cider contains more of apples’ [healthful] polyphenol compounds than clear commercial apple juice.” In fact, the AICR says that in some cases cider contains up to four times the amount of these polyphenol compounds, which are thought to play a role in reducing cancer risk. From time to time, however, you’ll notice clear juices labeled as ciders and cloudy, unfiltered apple juices on store shelves. Filtered apple cider vinegar is made with apple juice and water. Apple Cider vs Apple Juice – Which One Should You Buy? It’s apple picking season, the air is cool and a hot mug of cider is sure to hit the spot. Overall, both beverages are obtained from apples and the variation only comes due to differences in the fruit’s processing. Apple cider: It is produced from apples but is a largely unprocessed and untreated beverage. On the contrary, apple juice is highly filtered. So they’re…the same? An alcoholic, often sparkling (carbonated) beverage made from fermented apples; hard cider; apple cider. Much depends on what you are doing with it. When it’s fall, it is time to enjoy juicing. This juice is common in the United States and Canada, especially during fall. The difference between apple juice and apple cider is largely based on taste and the methods of preparation. Cider (noun). The difference between apple juice and apple cider is minute. When the beverage is exposed to heat, it changes the color, taste, and composition. Difference Between Apple Juice and Apple Cider? If you’re looking for something a little more complex and less sweet, apple cider is your best bet. A non-alcoholic still beverage consisting of the juice of early-harvest apples, usually unfiltered and still containing pulp; apple cider; sweet cider without pulp such a beverage is called apple juice. If you want a product with a pretty long shelf-life, then you should go for the apple juice. Due to its unsweetened nature, children will almost always not choose it as their beverage! If you’re wondering what the difference between apple juice and apple cider is, then this section is for you. Not so fast. Per chef Jerry James Stone, “When it comes to apple cider, it typically tends to be juice that’s pressed from the apples, but then is not completely unfiltered or even pasteurized.” The remaining pulp or sediment gives apple cider a cloudy or murky appearance. Apple Cider vs. Apple Juice for Smoking – Which is Best? Apple juice is further treated by enzymatic or centrifugal clarification. Update: If there is no difference why do they taste different? Apple Juice vs Apple Cider – Is There Any Difference? Also, pasteurized apple cider will remain fresh until it gets to its expiry date. If you wanted to buy apple juice but you were confused about what exactly is the difference between apple juice and apple cider, then this article will clear all your doubts! In this article, we will explore apple cider vs. apple juice and apple cider vs. apple cider vinegar. However, the beverage has a shorter life span and will not serve you for long. But wait, what is cider (and is it the same as the juice box you put in your kid’s lunch)? Before you make the trek to your local farm stand to do some apple picking and snag an apple-based beverage, it might be nice to figure out if you're more of an apple cider person or an apple juice person. Yes, apple cider is generally a healthier option compared to apple juice. Difference between apple juice and apple cider is not that complicated to understand. It is made when the natural sugar in apples turns into alcohol. The two terms "cider" and "juice" are used so loosely, it is confusing. An apple juice is a nutritive fruit juice obtained commonly by pressing and crushing of apples. It’s no wonder that we’re confused—apple cider and apple juice are very similar. For desserts, we recommend the use of apple juice since it’s sweeter than the cider. The conclusion? Read more about commercial masticating juicers here. While both apple cider and its juicy cousin come from the same fruit, the process by which they’re made results in slight differences in both taste and mouthfeel. Apple cider is generally considered to be cloudy unfiltered juice, while apple juice is typically clear, having had all of the apple solids filtered out of it. We love going to orchards not far from us in the fall and getting some freshly made apple juice. Apple juice, on the other hand, starts out as cider and then undergoes further processing steps to filter out sediment and pulp. (Hint: This distinction also explains why the latter gets so much love from little kids.). But the labels are interchangeable in practice. Unfiltered ACV is also less processed and mostly organic. Though the terms are often used interchangeably, there’s a difference between the two. If you’re looking for something a little more complex and less sweet, apple cider is your best bet. Apple Juice: generally sweeter, with a clear and light color. If sweet, then you should go for apple juice; if sour, then go for apple cider. Of course, you can also make your own hot apple cider with mulling spices for a fall treat. The difference between apple cider and apple cider vinegar is its fermentation status. It’s not hard to find good apple juice at your grocery store. It comes in two versions: filtered and unfiltered. While both apple cider and its juicy cousin come from the same fruit, the process by which they’re made results in slight differences in both taste and mouthfeel. Apple Cider is raw, unfiltered apple juice. If you’re wondering what the difference between apple juice and apple cider is, then this section is for you. There are lots of different hard ciders on the market, featuring a variety of different flavorings, but if you live in the United States they will all be labeled as such, to make consumers aware that the fruit has been fermented (i.e., turned into alcohol) and distinguish it from the soft stuff. Unpasteurized apple cider has a shorter shelf life than pasteurized apple cider. However, unpasteurized apple cider will have bacteria and yeast that can cause fermentation. The taste is very sour and as someone else has described it, it smells like sweaty feet on a summer day. Which one do you like better? Seriously, though, ‘cider’ has a different meaning outside the United States. If you see something called spiced cider, it's apple juice or apple cider that has been mixed with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. These compounds are highly beneficial to the human body and their consumption improves your overall well-being. Your email address will not be published. What is the Difference Between Apple Juice and Apple Cider – the Bottom Line, Well, this beverage is made by maceration of whole apples using powerful. In the United States, this is called hard cider (the fermented form). If you are using unfiltered apple juice, then you will need to rack the cider to a clean jug after 1 week. Apple juice, on the other hand, is filtered and pasteurized, which gives it a longer shelf life, a sweeter taste, and a smoother texture. Is Apple Cider Healthier than Apple Juice? (increases if fermentation occurs). We will compare how each apple byproduct is made and what you need know about their nutrition profiles. The beverage has all the components of apple grounded, which makes it look relatively cloudy/milky. Later, bacteria are added into the fermented juice to convert alcohol into acetic acid. While apple cider is the unprocessed liquid that is extracted from crushed and pressed apples, apple juice is a result of apple cider being filtered, and sometimes with sugar added. It has more roughage and other organic constituents, which makes it healthier. Exactly how long you leave the cider to ferment will depend on your personal taste. Sweet or fermented? Wondering how the juice is made? Honey Crisp Artisanal Reserve >> Crispin Cider Co. Cider juggernaut Crispin Cider Co., combines sweet and bitter flavors in its hazy Honey Crisp Artisanal Reserve. While apple juice is filtered and pasteurized, apple cider is unfiltered and unpasteurized. 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 …. Well, this beverage is made by maceration of whole apples using powerful masticating and juicing blenders. Apple Cider: more tart and balanced, which is perfect for baking, with a dark and cloudy look. You can use either apple cider or apple juice when smoking your ribs or any other piece of meat. As such, the decision on which one you should buy will depend on what taste you’d like. It does not contain roughage, which removes the health benefits to the gut. To answer this one, we need to know where you live. How Does a Meat Tenderizer Work?10 Best Meat Tenderizers, How to Clean a Dishwasher in 5 Easy Steps – A Definitive Guide, 5 Best Induction Cooktop for the Money – Buying Guide and Reviews, 5 Best Offset Smoker for Beginners- All-Inclusive Guide, Instant Pot Vs Ninja Foodi: A Comprehensive Analysis of Crucial Features and Elaborate Buying Guide, How to Use Mr. Coffee Iced Tea Maker - 6 Simple Steps - The Kitchen Pot, 5 Best Ice Maker for Home Use – Why You Should Own One, 8 Best Iced Tea Maker – A Comprehensive Buying Guide. Apple cider is fresh, unfiltered, and often unpasteurized. But apple cider is raw, unfiltered juice—the pulp and sediment are intact. Before I discovered that cloudy apple juice had more health benefits, I already preferred it over clear apple juice. Fresh apple cider is not alcoholic. Unfiltered is where it doesn't get all the chemicals out I believe so filtered would be better and there is unsweetened apple juice which I give my son who is 4 and it taste just as good if not better apple cider is an example of unfiltered and it might me to acidly for your sons stomach. In fact, Martinelli’s admits that the only difference between their cider and their juice is the labeling. Does it make a difference which one you use? While there’s no universally-agreed upon legal distinction between apple juice and apple cider, most experts say that there is a slight difference in how they are produced which can impact the final product. These compounds are highly beneficial to the human body and their consumption improves your overall well-being. Health benefits: Reduces the risk of heart disease, helps in preventing cancer and improving cognition. Process: There are a few states that do spell out a distinct difference between apple cider and juice. Apple cider has a distinct tart taste and can be served either warm or cold, whereas apple juice is clear, much milder than apple cider, and thus a lot more popular with kids. Don’t be put off by your drink’s hazy appearance though—that pulp might actually benefit your health. Required fields are marked *. Basically, cider has a lot more going on—so if a recipe calls for the unfiltered stuff, there’s a good chance it’s contributing more than just sweetness to whatever you’re cooking up. However, you can always add apple cider if you like that sour taste in your desserts. Is it the color, the texture, or the nutritional value? As such, you can be sure that the beverage will help with the peristaltic movement and improve the overall health of your gut. What is the Difference Between Apple Cider and Apple Cider Vinegar? Pasteurization prolongs shelf life. If you’re trying to pick a team in the apple cider vs. apple juice debate, let us help you make an informed decision. 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