The New Cider Maker's Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide for Craft Producers

by Claude Jolicoeur

"I’ve caught the cider bug, and I’ve caught it bad. You too? Then seek out this book without delay.  The New Cider Maker’s Handbook  is like having all your birthdays come at once for hard cider geeks like us. From the choosing the right apples and building your own cider press to measuring cider’s alcohol content and adjusting the final sweetness, it’s all right here."― The Kitchn All around the world, the public’s taste for fermented cider has been growing more rapidly than at any time in the past 150 years. And with the growing interest in locally grown and artisanal foods, many new cideries are springing up all over North America, often started up by passionate amateurs who want to take their cider to the next level as small-scale craft producers. To make the very best cider―whether for yourself, your family, and friends or for market―you first need a deep understanding of the processes involved, and the art and science behind them. Fortunately, The New Cider Maker’s Handbook is here to help. Author Claude Jolicoeur is an internationally known, award-winning cider maker with an inquiring, scientific mind. His book combines the best of traditional knowledge and techniques with up-to-date, scientifically based practices to provide today’s cider makers with all the tools they need to produce high-quality ciders. The New Cider Maker’s Handbook is divided into five parts   This book will appeal to both serious amateurs and professional cider makers who want to increase their knowledge, as well as to orchardists who want to grow cider apples for local or regional producers. Novices will appreciate the overview of the cider-making process, and, as they develop skills and confidence, the more in-depth technical information will serve as an invaluable reference that will be consulted again and again. This book is sure to become the definitive modern work on cider making. A mechanical engineer by profession, Claude Jolicoeur first developed his passion for apples and cider after acquiring a piece of land on which there were four rows of old abandoned apple trees. He started making cider in 1988 using a “no-compromise” approach, stubbornly searching for the highest possible quality. Since then, his ciders have earned many awards and medals at competitions, including a Best of Show at the prestigious Great Lakes International Cider and Perry Competition (GLINTCAP). Claude actively participates in discussions on forums like the Cider Digest, and is regularly invited as a guest speaker to events such as the annual Cider Days festival in western Massachusetts. He lives in Quebec City.

Genres: Cookbooks, Nonfiction, Cooking, Brewing, Food, Agriculture

352 pages, Hardcover

First published September 11, 2013

Reviews

[Neil O'Rourke · Rating 5 out of 5]

An in-depth and informative resource about apples and ciders.

Some reviews note it as a textbook or reference material; it is that and more. The conversational voice of the author allows difficult subjects to feel approachable. The benefit being multiple reads and references will fill in where the memory leaves off.

This is a book to have as a keystone of cider knowledge.

[Shelley Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a winemaker who wants to try making cider, it helped me to understand exactly what is going on in the fermentation processed. Loved this book.

[Paul Klammer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to rate this @ top of my list for cider making reference. This is a standalone reference that has technical detail that beginning experts may need and a complete breadth of foundational information that will lead to competent cider making. I've avoided this due to the info on orchards culture and cider apple varietal selection, but turned out those are fundamental understandings needed regardless of whether you are going to grow your own. I primarily make beer and can't wait to apply some cider process concepts to my beer making. Finally, I know how cider sweetness is managed w/o back sweetening. Nitrogen, DUH!

[Machinery · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is essentially a textbook on cider. It goes beyond describing basic processes and blends of apples and provides detailed instructions for building mills and presses, formulae for calculating various dimensions of the juice and cider, etc. Not a typical end-to-end read, but a good reference.

[Allen Crump · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really great read for anyone interested in the topic of cider making. The author’s experience and passion for the craft shine through extremely well.

I’ll definitely keep this handy as I continue working both professionally and as a hobbyist in the world of cider.

[Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice gift from Becky when I was really into homebrewing and cider and stuff and it taught me a bunch.

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great info but could use legitimate plans on the apple crusher.

[Ricky Mikeabono · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great introduction and reference on making cider, from hobbyist to small scale commercial producer. I was shocked to find my own invention, a garbage disposal + hydraulic jack cider press, to be laid out in detail along with some other DIY designs. I guess I wasn't the first :(
My only criticism would be that some content is presented in great quantitative detail, while other subjects are presented purely anecdotally.