Are you someone who loves to experiment at home and make things yourself? Trying out different recipes at home provides a sense of achievement as you can make anything work. Even if you can find most products at the store, making them at home is always healthier.
People like to make yogurt at the store at home despite finding yogurt at the store. Similarly, apple cider vinegar is also one of the things people love to make at home. Do you want to know the easiest recipe to make apple cider vinegar? Jump right in!
Why is Apple Cider Vinegar Beneficial?
Knowing its benefits is crucial before you jump into making apple cider vinegar. Here are some apple cider vinegar benefits:
- Apple cider vinegar has high acetic acid content that helps neutralize your stomach’s acidic environment.
- It helps detoxify the body, reduce bloating, and make you feel lighter.
- Apple Cider Vinegar neutralizes blood sugar levels by eliminating insulin resistance.
- It is known to promote weight loss by improving your digestion.
- It kills bacteria and boosts skin and heart health by stimulating healthy enzyme activity.
- Having apple cider vinegar every day helps in fastening your metabolism.
The Process of Making Apple Cider Vinegar
Making apple cider vinegar is relatively easy as you don’t need any fancy tools. You have to follow some instructions to get a promising outcome. Here are some steps you need to follow:
Step 1: Select the Right Apples
The kind of apples you choose has a lot to do with the taste of apple cider vinegar. You can achieve the best taste if you mix a few types of apples. The outcome will be moderately sweet and tangy, depending on your apple selection.
Some people also like to make apple cider vinegar using scraps, peels, and apple core. You can collect the scraps and freeze them until you decide to make the vinegar. Get the harder apples as they taste better and ferment nicely.
Step 2: Thoroughly Wash the Apples
To make the best apple cider vinegar, hygiene is crucial. Ensure to wash the apple thoroughly with cold water to remove dust and debris. You can also leave the apples in a bowl of cold water for a few minutes and rinse them off. Any dust or sand on apples can ruin the taste of apple cider vinegar.
If you are making apple cider vinegar with scraps, wash and dry them thoroughly. Use only 3 to 4 apples if you make it for the first time. You get enough vinegar out of them, and it lasts you quite a few days.
Step 3: Prepare Apples for Fermentation
To prepare the apples for fermentation, you need to cut them into smaller cubes. You can use larger pieces of apples, but it will take time for them to sink or submerge in water. Hence, cut them into smaller cubes with a large surface area exposed. Add water to the jar until the apples are fully submerged in the water.
It is better to add too much water than not enough; always use a glass or wooden jar and mixing tools as metal can ruin easily.
Step 4: Cover and keep it in the dark Place
After adding apples into the water, add a teaspoon of sugar to help with fermentation. People also add honey, but that does not help the fermentation process. Cover the glass jar with water and apple with cheesecloth and tighten the edges using the rubber band.
Keep the jar in a cold and dark place where no direct sunlight will hit it. You can keep an eye on the jar from time to time, but leave it be for the most part.
Step 5: Strain It
Keep stirring the mixture twice a day for the first week; strain the mixture as soon as the apple sinks. Throw away the apples and pour the water back into the jar. Secure the cheesecloth with a rubber band on the lid. It helps the fumes to release while still keeping the mixture secure.
Keep the mixture back in a cool and dark place and shake the jar every few days. You will notice a change in its aroma. Apple cider vinegar benefits are stronger when the taste is tangy and acidic. State to check if the vinegar is acidic enough. It may take three to six weeks to ferment.
Step 6: Store the Vinegar
After the vinegar is ready, pour it into a glass jar with a tight lid. Keep the apple cider vinegar in the refrigerator, and it should never go bad. If you keep it outside, it may keep fermenting.
Conclusion
Apple cider vinegar has many benefits, and you must try making it at home at least once. If the mixture starts to get cloudy, it is good news because it is with the mother and even more beneficial. Do give it a try and follow the instructions precisely.
