Apple cider vinegar is attributed all sorts of benefits. A popular kitchen staple, apple cider vinegar (ACV) dates back to ancient times, where of course it was all made at home. It’s said to have been used by Hippocrates as a health tonic and by American soldiers to combat indigestion, pneumonia and scurvy.
It is also very expensive to buy the raw fancy apple cider vinegar when compared with run-of-the-mill white vinegar and it is dead easy (and pretty much free!) to make.
How to make Apply Cider Vinegar at home
You need:
Apples (not surprisingly). You can just use the scraps of 6-8 apples for the vinegar and use the good stuff to eat, make yourself an amazing pie or can/freeze for next time you need some.
A big glass jar to fit your scraps in. Lots of scraps = a big jar and lots of cider, and smaller amount of scraps, a smaller jar and less ACV. 6-8 apples makes a 1L /1Quart jar
A cloth to cover the top of your jar and either a rubber band or some string to secure it.
Water
Sugar – this is to help feed the bacteria and yeast to ensure a good amount of alcohol develops to convert to vinegar.
Time
A dark warmish cupboard
Step one:
Peel and core your apples – you need 6-8 apples for a 1 litre/1 Quart jar.
Step two:
Make something delicious with the yummy bits of the apples.
Step three:
Put your peels and cores in your jar. Add 2 Tablespoons of sugar for each quart/litre.
Step four:
Cover the scraps with water. To keep them submerged place a small jar full of water on top of the apple peels as a weight.
Step five:
Cover the jar loosely with a cloth to allow it to breathe and put aside for 2-3 weeks. If you add a splash of raw apple cider vinegar it speeds up the process and you will only need to leave it for 1-2 weeks.
Step six:
After a couple of weeks, strain out the apple pieces. At this stage, it should smell alcoholic – hence the cider bit in the name. Vinegar is alcohol that is then metabolized by bacteria and converted into vinegar.
Step seven:
Re-cover with the cloth top and pop back into your darkened cupboard for further 6-12 weeks. It is ready once it tastes like vinegar and the alcohol smell has gone.
Step eight:
It should have some floaties in the mix by now, this is the SCOBY (Symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast)/mother. Simply strain out the chunky bits and store and a clean glass bottle. It is now ready to use however you wish!
I have been having a teaspoon full in a glass of water in the morning. Apparently, it is good for what ails you. And it doesn’t taste bad either, quite similar to lemon water really. Read 23 uses for apple cider vinegar here.
Do you use ACV for anything at your house?
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I have done this before but been afraid to consume it. I used it for cleaning and baths. Good to know you drink it. I will try it