Have you ever wondered if you can make cider from quince? If you’re a cider fan, you might be curious to explore the possibilities of using this unique fruit to create a flavorful and refreshing drink.
Well, the answer is yes – you can make cider from quince! In this post, we’ll explore more about it. So, let’s get started!
What Is Quince and Its Benefits?
Many of you know what quince is. Right? For those who don’t know, here’s the introduction.
Quince is a fruit that has a mixed appearance of apple and pear. The fruit is yellow when ripe, but it’s sometimes harsh, tannic, and even sour.
People prefer to cook it as an ingredient in other dishes to get all its nutrients.
Like all other fruits, Quince is also nutritiously rich. Following are some of the nutrients it has:
- Dietary Fiber
Dietary fiber in quince improves digestion and keeps bowel movement smooth.
- Antioxidants
Antioxidants are compounds that fight against the free radicals present in your body. These radicals are hazardous as they cause oxidative damage to your body.
Hence, eating quince prevents it from happening.
- Vitamins
Along with other items, quince is rich in vitamin C. It helps heal wounds and keeps the skin, blood vessels, bones, and cartilage healthy.
- Minerals
Quince is enriched with minerals like calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, copper, etc. The overall effect of all these minerals is a healthy body.
- Tannins
Tannins are good for lowering total cholesterol and also stimulate the immune system. Moreover, if you have high blood pressure, consume quince as it lowers blood pressure.
- Low Calories
As the fruit has low calories, keeping your weight regular is good.
In short, quince is a highly healthy fruit that must be added to your diet.
Can You Use Quince to Make Cider?
Quince is used in a plethora of sweet and savory dishes. Not only does it enhance its flavor, but it also raises its nutritional profile.
But can you use it to make cider? Is it a good choice for cider?
Let’s find out!
Well! Cider is an alcoholic beverage created from apple juice. It’s easy to prepare, and instead of apples, you can use several other fruits, too, including quince.
Therefore, the answer to your question is yes. You can make cider from quince.
How to Make Quince Cider?
Now that you know cider can be made from quince, it’s time to share the recipe. Are you curious to know about it?
Let’s start then!
Step# 1 Take some quinces and wash them to remove dirt and chemicals from the fruit.
Step# 2 Peel it off, and remove the seeds and core.
Step# 3 Chop it off into cubes,
Step# 4 Crush the cubes or mash them to extract the juice.
Step# 5 Pour the juice into a vessel and add a yeast culture to ferment it. If the liquid is not sweet, add more sugar to the juice to aid fermentation smoothly.
Step# 6 Keep the vessel at 15-24°C for several weeks to allow the content to ferment.
Step# 7 Once fermented, your cider is ready. Store it for aging or consume it immediately. The choice is yours!
How Long Does It Take to Make Quince Cider?
How long will you wait to mesmerize your taste buds with the cider? Well! Let’s make it clear to you that it’s not a matter of a day or two.
Making quince cider takes at least a few weeks to even months (for aging). So, if you make it at home, you must be patient.
And if you can’t, get a quick cider from a grocery store.
What Does Quince Cider Taste Like?
Haven’t you tried quince cider yet? Want to get an idea about its taste before actually having it?
Here you go, then!
The quince cider’s taste is influenced by various factors such as yeast strain, the aging process, and the additional ingredients you add. However, due to the distinctive tartness and astringency of the fruit, the cider has a tangy, slightly bitter flavor.
Some quince ciders also have honey-like sweetness and a refreshing floral aroma. In contrast, others are dry and crisp. These variations in taste and aroma depend upon the degree of fruit ripeness, additional ingredients, and the fermentation process.
How to Store Quince Cider?
By storing it correctly, you can enjoy the freshness and uniqueness of the quince cider for a prolonged time. So, here’s how you can do it.
- Keep the cider in a cool and dark place, preferably in the refrigerator, between 2-10°C.
- You must store it in a glass bottle that’s tightly fitting cork or lid.
- If the cider is carbonated, remove the excess gas by burping the bottle, or else it will explode.
However, you must consume the cider within 6-12 months.
Can You Make Hard Cider Out of Quince?
You would be glad to know that the answer is yes. You can make hard cider out of quince by following the same recipe as other hard ciders.
It’s indeed a great beverage to uplift your mood.
Is Quince Cider Gluten-free?
Gluten is a protein found in rye, wheat, barley, etc., not quince fruit. Therefore, a homemade quince cider doesn’t have gluten unless you haven’t added any additional ingredients or additives.
However, if buying it from a grocery store, check its ingredients first. As store-bought cider has additives and sweeteners, it might contain gluten.
What Is the Alcohol Content of Quince Cider?
Well! Depending upon the cider recipe and fermentation process, the amount of alcohol in the quince cider varies. Generally, it ranges from 5-8%.
Final Thoughts
Can you make cider from quince? Well! The answer is yes.
Like many other fruits, quince cider is also an alcoholic beverage that most people like to have. It has a pleasing taste and distinct aroma.
Moreover, preparing it at home is also easy.
So, try it out at home and share your experience!
