Tannin replacement for turbo cider

[Celera]

After brewing beer kits for a while, I'm going to give a turbo cider or two a go. From what I've read, the juice needs tannin to taste better, but I've not got anywhere local to buy tannin powder. Wilkos do a red wine concentrate. Would that be suitable as a tannin powder replacement?

Cheers

 

[LeithR]

Simple way to add tannin is to make a cup of tea with 3 tea bags in it - yes ordinary tea bags - (bout 1/2L would do it) let it sit for 30 mins then add this into the brew and count it as part of the 4 or 4.5L in the DJ

 

[iceo]

+1 to the tea bags,

 

[evanvine]

Are you sure about 3 T-bags to 4.5 ltrs?
I've always used 1 per 4.5 litres, or 5 in 24 litres.
Perhaps I've been under dosing.

 

[graysalchemy]

:hmm: :hmm:

What variety of tea do you use Jim.

 

[evanvine]

What ever she buys in Als, norm Yorkshire gold.

 

[iceo]

:hmm: :hmm:

What variety of tea do you use Jim.

i use 3 pyramid bags as we always have them in stock

 

[Celera]

Excellent.

Cheers guys :)

 

[graysalchemy]

I tried Earl Grey once didn't make a blind bit of difference :lol: :lol:

 

[evanvine]

I tried Earl Grey once didn't make a blind bit of difference :lol: :lol:

So, oh great and wise cider maker, what is your dosage re T-bags?

 

[graysalchemy]

That was prior to my cider epiphany and results were poor, not enough Tannin, hence why I advocate 1 tsp per gallon of grape tannin powder.

But to answer your question probably 3 per gallon really well stewed, and that to me wasn't strong enough. :thumb:

Callum Scott got hold of some research data on the amount of tannin in a whole host of apple varieties both desert apples and cider apples. And he conferred that 1 tsp per gallon would give the same amount of tannin as you would find in your average cider apple.

But each to their own tastes. :thumb:

 

[evanvine]

Many thanks Alistair!

 

[Tim_Crowhurst]

Another option is 50g dried elderberries per gallon. This will also improve the flavour, since TC can be a bit lacking.

 

[oldbloke]

My very first TC didn't have tannin, and compared to the ones I do now it was rub - but still good enough for t'missus to declare we needn't buy commercial cider anymore.
So, the people who aren't using much tannin are still turning out something that's OK(ish), mostly - compared to, say, Magners.
But with the right level of tannin, and a few of the other standard tweaks, you can make some really top notch stuff.

 

[evanvine]

with the right level of tannin, and a few of the other standard tweaks

I'm all ears, please enlighten. :

 

[oldbloke]

well... mostly, if not doing MLF, get something other than AJ in there.
...and pick an AJ that tastes good to start with.
Plenty of room to experiment with different yeasts - the Yanks are into using ale yeasts, for example

 

[evanvine]

Thank you for that meaningful, information packed reply.