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Ice Cider

Sabato 04.12.21

Ilaria

4 minuti

Indice

1. What is Ice Cider and How is it Made
2. Ice Cider Production Techniques
3. Summary of Ice Cider Characteristics
4. Ice Cider Price

In the world of apple cider, there are many families. Examples include tannic cider, perry, flavored cider, and the most fascinating ice cider.

Ice cider is not a beverage to be consumed cold, but rather the name refers to a specific method of apple processing. This is a relatively recent phenomenon, born in Canada and now widespread around the world.

The method for making ice cider is inspired by the more famous German “ice wines.” This exquisite beverage obtained from apples is produced by exploiting the concentration of natural sugars in apples through freezing. The result is a sweet beverage with an alcohol content between 5 and 15 percent by volume. For the production of this type of cider, acidic apples are generally used to balance the sweetness of the beverage obtained through this specific processing.

What is Ice Cider and How is it Made

Ice cider is a still apple wine obtained by concentrating the sugars contained in the apple through freezing.

This sweet and delicious alcoholic beverage originated in Canada, specifically in Quebec, where making wine is really difficult due to the harsh temperatures. Hence the idea of creating a wine-like beverage using apples. The apple tree is an integral part of Quebec’s landscape and culture, as it can adapt to the harshest winters.

Today, the major production is recorded in Montérégie, the Eastern Townships, and the Laurentians. Although the apple tree is rooted in local culture, with the first orchard and press documented as early as 1650, due to bureaucratic reasons, cider almost disappeared from Canada in 1921, and until 1970, the production of this beverage was almost illegal.

Ice Cider Production Techniques

There are two techniques for producing “ice cider”:

Cryopreservation
Cryoextraction

The cryoextraction technique is very similar to that used in the preparation of Eiswein. Both methods are characterized by exploiting the concentration of natural sugars in the apple, resulting in a dessert beverage that is rather sweet and ideal for accompanying blue cheeses.

Cryopreservation

Through cryopreservation, the juice is obtained by pressing the pulp and immediately freezing it. Once thawed, we get a delicious liquid with a high concentration of sugars.

Cryoextraction

This technique involves harvesting the apples and then freezing them whole. During the pressing phase, a juice with a high concentration of sugars is obtained.

Whether using the cryopreservation or cryoextraction technique, the apple juice undergoes slow fermentation at low temperatures. This choice is necessary to control the yeast, which would otherwise convert all the sugar into alcohol, resulting in an excessively alcoholic beverage.

Summary of Ice Cider Characteristics

It is a style of cider where the juice is concentrated before fermentation by freezing the fruit before pressing or by freezing the juice and removing the water. Fermentation stops or halts before reaching dryness. The character is different from Applewine as the ice cider process increases not only sugar (thus alcohol) but acidity and all fruit flavor components proportionally. No additives are allowed in this style; in particular, sweeteners cannot be used to increase the alcohol content. This style originated in Quebec in the 1990s.

Aroma/Flavor: Fruity, smooth, sweet-tart. The acidity must be enough to prevent it from being cloying. Appearance: Bright. The color is deeper than standard cider, from gold to amber. Mouthfeel: Full body. It can be tannic (astringent and/or bitter) but this should be mild, at most moderate. Variety: Usually classic North American table fruit like McIntosh or Cortland.

Ice Cider Price

Many wonder about the price of ice cider, a beverage still not very common in Italy. The price always depends on the quality, origin, and producers. On average, the price for a bottle of ice cider ranges from €25 to €30 for a 37.5cl bottle. As for the characteristics of this sugary beverage obtained from apples, it can be described as having a rich, floral, and intense aroma, with a perfectly balanced taste between the sweetness of the sugar and the natural acidity of the apple. Generally, its alcohol content ranges from 5% to 15%, while the sweetness range (Sg) is between 1,050-1,080 (very sweet – ultra-sweet).

Let’s see together the best brands of ice cider and their prices.

Ice Cider Neige Première Ice Cider Domaine Neige