Apple Cider Memories

Hello Goblins & Ghouls!

Do not let the title of the post confuse you, even though I will be sharing a few little memories I will also be sharing the apple cider recipe!

I know, I know, it's been longer than I said & I am sorry. Sorta.

What I will say is that I won't be like the other blogs (not that I'm a blog elitist or anything) I'll go ahead & share it...now!

Apple Cider Recipe

6 sweet apples (my favorite is red delicious or gala)

6 tart apples (obviously granny smith, she's got an monopoly on tart apples!)

2 Oranges

Cinnamon

Nutmeg

Clove

All-Spice

Brown Sugar

1. Peel & core your apples, then peel the oranges & separate them into smaller sections.

2. Put the fruit in a large pot of water, around 16 cups of water. Allow the fruit to simmer in water until they begin to soften. This should take around 15 minutes, give or take, after the water begins to boil.

3. After the first 15 minutes, add in the spices. It's really to taste but, in my opinion, I'd suggest putting in at least 2 tablespoons. As starters. Allow to simmer for 10 or so minutes.

4. At this point, try & stab the fruit with a fork & see how tender it is. Similar to checking the doneness of potatoes. If you're able to stab right through the apple then remove the pot from heat & allow to cool.

5. Once the fruit & water has cooled, use a potatoes masher & mash up/mix the concoction. Allow to cool a bit longer b/c breaking up the fruit will release more heat. Transfer the concoction to a blender of sorts (I use a purrer, which makes it take longer but I don't have a blender).

6. After blending & getting a nice smooth consistency, transfer back into the pot & reheat. Once reheated add more spices, at least another 2 tablespoons, & brown sugar to sweeten it up. The brown sugar is to taste as well & depends on ratio of tart to sweet apples you'd life, I'd suggest at least 1 1/2 cups to begin.

7. Allow to simmer for at least another 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Tips for the Cider:

If you don't feel like buying all the little spices, you can save a bit of money (& space in your spice cabinet) by purchasing a mulled spiced set. It won't have exactly the same flavor profile but it will be similar enough. That being said, the majority of the time those mulled spice sets come with a cloth to enfuse the spices in the liquid, which means that you just drop it in & let it hang out. Do not blend it in on step 5.

If the coring & peeling isn't something you're into, no shame in the game, just buy sugar free apple juice instead. I suggest still purchasing the oranges & spices & sweetening it yourself though, so it will still have the homemade feeling.

Reheating it is simple, in the pot again or the microwave. Truly up to you. The cider is like chili, it gets better with age, the longer the spices can marinade.

Lastly, when storing the cider, make sure to store it in a air-sealed container. Apple cider will mold & usually in within a week.

Normally I make apple cider three times a year; the first is for Mabon to welcome in the harvest season, the second in during the beginning of October b/c festivities, & the last time is for Halloween/Samhain. Apple Cider is a foundation for pagan autumn celebrations since apples are one of the largely harvested crops during fall & represents many different divine/spiritual guides (etc.).

Now that recipe talk is out of the way, I'd like to share a memory as to why Apple Cider is special to me.

My mother & I briefly lived in New York. While living there I attended an elementary school that took a field trip to a local apple farm. We went early in the morning, so I was wrapped up in a jacket, hat, sweater, you guys know it. (It was around autumn time, afterall) After the necessary safety lecture, they took us out into the apple orchard & helped us pick some apples.

Picking the apples is such an odd memory, almost dream like. Cold morning, rows & rows of apple trees, the smell of apples & farm; something magical.

So we picked a few apples & then were walked through the production line. Sort of. Out of that portion of the trip, I really only remember watched the apple being washed. A little plot twist, we also got to see the dairy cows that were on the farm & were taught how to milk them. Seeing the cow hooked up the automatic milker-machine, was not something that little me was into to be honest.

For lunch we had PB & J's, apple slices, & a choice of apple juice or milk. A truly goofy lunch. A fun surprise: we were able to take home the apples that we picked! Little me really brought home the metaphorical bacon that day.

Fall was always such a special time for my mother & I, it sometimes makes me emotional just thinking about it. The Halloween season before she died she sent me a bunch of photos of her Halloween decorations, inside & out.

This isn't me at the Apple farm but it's me during the fangtastic, wonderful autumn-y time of the year! Check the fit. Yes those pumpkins around me are real. No I don't know where this pumpkin patch it but I'd love to say I could take pictures of my kids there like this. No I don't have kids yet but one day.

Anyways, that's my go to Apple Cider recipe & the memories behind why I love it. If you try it, please let me know what you think!

Until Next Time,

Stay spooky, festive, & safe!

Haunted Lore