Michigan State University Extension
Preserving Food Safely - 01600763
10/13/97
local cider maker within 24 hours after it has been pressed.
PROCEDURE: Refrigerate juice for 24 to 48 hours. Without mixing, carefully pour off clear liquid and discard sediment. Strain clear liquid through a paper coffee filter or double layers of damp cheesecloth. Heat quickly, stirring occasionally, until juice begins to boil. Fill immediately into sterile pint or quart jars (see following directions for sterilizing jars) or fill clean, hot half- gallon jars, leaving 1/4-inch headspace. Adjust lids and process.
Sterilization of Empty Jars
To sterilize empty jars, put them right side up on the rack in a boiling-water canner. Fill the canner and jars with hot (not boiling) water to 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Boil 10 minutes at altitudes of less than 1,000 feet. At higher elevations, boil 1 additional minute for each additional 1,000 feet elevation. Remove and drain sterilized jars one at a time as filled.
RECOMMENDED PROCESS TIME FOR APPLE JUICE IN BOILING-WATER CANNER
Style Process Time At Altitude of of Jar 0- 1001- over Pack Size 1000 ft. 6000 ft. 6000 ft.
Hot Pints 5 min. 10 min. 15 min. Hot Quarts 5 10 15
Hot Half-Gallons 10 15 20