The Big Book of Cidermaking: Expert Techniques for Fermenting and Flavoring Your Favorite Hard Cider

The husband-and-wife team and best-selling fermentation authors Christopher Shockey and Kirsten K. Shockey offer the most comprehensive guide to home cidermaking on the market. With expert advice and clear, step-by-step instructions, The Big Book of Cidermaking equips readers with the skills they need to make the cider they want — whether sweet, dry, fruity, farmhouse-style, hopped, barrel-aged, or fortified.

The Shockeys’ years of experience cultivating an orchard and their experiments in producing their own ciders have led them to a master formula for cidermaking success, whether starting with apples fresh from the tree or working with store-bought juice. Readers explore in-depth the different phases of fermentation and the entire spectrum of complex flavor and style possibilities, with cider recipes ranging from cornelian cherry to ginger, and styles including New England, Spanish, and late-season ciders.

For those invested in making use of every part of the apple, there’s even a recipe for vinegar made from the skins and cores leftover after pressing. This thorough, thoughtful handbook is an empowering guide for every cidermaker, from the beginner seeking foundational techniques and tips to the intermediate cidercrafter who wants to expand their skills.