Making apple juice at home is super easy and incredibly refreshing, and it's a great way to use up any apples you might have left around the house.
Plus, it's all-natural! In this article, we'll walk you through the steps to make your own delicious homemade apple juice, packed with flavor and free of any unnecessary additives. Let's get started!
Ingredients We'll Need
Before we dive into the steps, let's gather everything we need:
• 500g of apples (make sure to peel and core them)
• 100g of rock sugar (you can adjust this to your sweetness level)
• Water (enough to cover the apples while boiling)
• A bit of lemon juice (this adds a refreshing kick to your juice!)
Steps to Make Homemade Apple Juice
Step 1: Prep the Apples
Start by peeling the apples and cutting them into small pieces. Make sure to wash them thoroughly before putting them in the pot. We'll add just enough water to cover the apples—this will help them cook evenly.
Step 2: Cook the Apples
Place the apples in a pot and cook them for about 7 to 8 minutes. You want to soften them up nicely, so don't rush this step! Keep an eye on the pot and check the apples every so often to make sure they're cooking through.
Step 3: Blend It Up
Once the apples are nice and soft, it's time to blend them! Take the apples out of the pot and put them into a blender or a soy milk machine. Add a bit of the cooking water to help with blending the apples into a smooth purée. This step is key to making sure we get that silky texture we all love in homemade juice!
Step 4: Strain the Apple Mixture
After blending, pour the apple purée into a bowl. Now, it's time to strain out any chunks and make the juice super smooth. You can use a fine mesh strainer for this, and if you prefer an even smoother juice, feel free to strain it again with a finer mesh.
Step 5: Make the Apple Juice Base
Now that we have the smooth apple purée, it's time to turn it into juice! Pour the purée back into the pot, and add double the amount of water. For example, if you have 500g of purée, add about 1 liter of water. Then, add the rock sugar to taste. Remember, you can always add more or less depending on how sweet you want your juice. Lastly, add a little bit of lemon juice to balance the flavors—this step is totally optional, but it adds a nice refreshing tang.
Step 6: Cook the Juice
Place the pot on low heat and let it simmer. You'll need to cook it for about 10-15 minutes. As it boils, you'll notice some foam forming on the top. Be sure to skim this off with a spoon to keep your juice clear and smooth.
Step 7: Final Straining
After the juice has been cooking for a bit, use a fine mesh sieve to strain the juice once more. This will help remove any remaining pulp or foam, ensuring you have a clean, smooth juice.
Step 8: The Fruit Purée
The remaining fruit purée in your sieve can be enjoyed on its own! It's a super tasty, natural treat. If you want, you can even save it and use it as a topping for oatmeal, yogurt, or ice cream.
Step 9: Bottle Up and Store
For storing the juice, be sure to sterilize your bottles with boiling water before pouring in the juice. Let the juice cool down to room temperature. If you've made a larger batch and want to keep it for longer, you can steam the bottles (with the caps off) for about 15 minutes once the water starts boiling. Afterward, tightly seal the bottles, and you'll have homemade apple juice that can last for several months.
Enjoy Your Homemade Apple Juice!
And there you have it! You've just made your very own homemade apple juice, and it's as simple as that. It's fresh, natural, and packed with the sweetness of ripe apples. Plus, you get to enjoy the satisfaction of making something from scratch.
Remember, Lykkers, making homemade beverages is a fun and rewarding process, and now you have a delicious, refreshing apple juice to enjoy anytime! You can also experiment with different fruits and flavors to create your own custom juices. Happy juicing!
