If you enjoy having a cider in the evening after a stressful day at work, what better hobby to have than making them yourself? That way, you get to spend some time unwinding and getting to enjoy the fruits of your labour later. One of the best ways to save money and enjoy sipping on your favourite brew is by homebrewing. Yes, you can make your own cider at home and what easier way than to do it with a mangrove cider. You save yourself from spending time searching for the right ingredients and you’re able to focus on the most important part – the brewing process. Also, by homebrewing, you can stay slim while drinking alcohol. Drinking cider is also a great way to achieve that, as unlike a regular lager or pilsner, it is not as heavy on your guts.

Is Apple Cider Good for You to Drink?

While some would say apple cider is a soft drink or one that is made for the ladies only, you can’t turn down the fact that it is healthy for everyone. One thing that is present in apple cider is lots of nutritious elements. So every mangrove jack brewing batch will contain acetic acid, potassium, as well as amino acids and antioxidants.

Because of all the nutrients it contains, apple cider can help kill off harmful bacteria and it can also help lower your blood sugar levels as well as manage diabetes. Apple cider is also known for aiding weight loss and it can also improve heart health.

You can use apple cider as a remedy for skin conditions, such as eczema, as it helps rebalance the PH of your skin. Apple cider is definitely good for you, just make sure you consume it in moderation either diluted in water or as a beverage. If you’re new to it, just start in small doses and build it up from there.

How to Sanitise Brewing Equipment

Oxygen-Based

The first thing to do before you start your mangrove jack brewing process is sanitise your equipment. One of the ways you can do this is by mixing oxygen-based cleaners. The contact time of the cleaners needs to be about 20 minutes, and all you need to do is soak the equipment in the mixture. The equipment needs to be used within 30 minutes of sanitising.

Iodine-Based

When mixing two iodine-based cleaners you need to use just a little bit of both. The mixture will last for months, and you only need to keep it in contact with the equipment for 30 seconds. Make sure you don’t spill it on clothing or anything else as the stains are extremely difficult to remove.

Sodium Metabisulfite

This type of mixture can last about 2 to 3 months, but you’ll need to be more accurate when making it. Only put 3 tablespoons of sodium metabisulfite per 3.7kg of water. Just make sure there’s no residue when rinsing off the equipment.

Acid-Based

An acid-based mixture also takes 30 seconds to sanitise your equipment, and it doesn’t stain as easily. You can use phosphoric acid sanitiser as it is very effective and can be stored in a plastic bottle for months.

Brewing Apple Cider

1. When you have all the ingredients ready, start by funnelling your juice into the glass carboy. Then, add the crushed tablet that came with your mangrove jack cider to kill the bacteria. Set the carboy aside for 48 hours and after that just pour one cup of the liquid into a clean glass jar. Freeze that jar as you’ll need it later.
2. Once that’s done, get a measuring glass and re-hydrate the yeast according to the provided instructions. Add it to the carboy and fit the bung and airlock into it. Then, open the airlock and add a bit of water to it. Check the water level periodically as it needs to stay constant during the fermentation process.
3. With the carboy placed in a tray or on top of a towel, let it sit for 24 to 48 hours. This is when fermentation begins and you then need to place the carboy in a dark, cool place. The fermentation process begins at temperatures ranging from 12°C to 15°C. Check on the carboy daily in case anything goes south.
4. Once three weeks have passed, take the frozen juice that you stored and add it to the mangrove jack cider that is fermenting. Recap the carboy with the airlock and bung, and wait. The complete fermentation process can take between 4 and 12 weeks.
5. You’ll know when it is done when you can no longer see bubbles going to the top. When everything has subsided, transfer the cider into a clean carboy. Be careful not to siphon any dregs from the bottom and there you have it, your mangrove cider is ready to be consumed.