Turbo Cider questions

[Petei1507]

Hello all,

I'm new to all of this and I've been scrolling through all the topics on here regarfing Turbo Cider.

What I'm after is to make a basic (easy) turbo cider that is relatively strong (10% +)

After reading through numerous topics, I've come to the below mixture to hopefully achieve the above -

5 Litres of Apple Juice
1kg Sugar
Youngs Turbo Yeast (not sure on quantity)

The process I've assumed would be to put 4 litres of apple juice into the demi john, add yeast and then the remaining 1 litre of apple juice, place lid on and leave for 2-3 weeks?

Probably all wrong but any input would be greatly appreciated :)

 

[stesmi]

Your process is sound. It may be a good idea to leave out half a litre of juice until the vigorous fermentation stage has passed though. Then add it after. This should stop a messy blow out ferment.
Also by my reckoning a kilo of sugar and 5litres of juice will give you 15%ABV. 500grams is more likely to give you 10%, all depending on the juice sugar content of course ;-)
As a 'general' rule 20 grams of sugar per litre of liquid will increase abv by 1%.

 

[Petei1507]

Thanks for the response.

I must habe taken something in from all of the reading I've done then! Haha

In terms of the amount of yeast to use, would you have any measurements on that?

Also, I've read about people boiling out the sugar before adding this to the mixture. Does this need to be done? What does it achieve?

 

[Covrich]

Thanks for the response.

I must habe taken something in from all of the reading I've done then! Haha

In terms of the amount of yeast to use, would you have any measurements on that?

Also, I've read about people boiling out the sugar before adding this to the mixture. Does this need to be done? What does it achieve?

It will sterilise the sugar. I probably would if it was me..

I have never done a turbo cider but hear some people put a mug of black tea in them too to add tannins

 

[Scaff]

1 teaspoon of yeast per gal, is what i use when using youngs super yeast



scaff

 

[Petei1507]

Thanks for the responses guys.

Just a few more questions -

With the above mixture, how will it come out? Flat of Fizzy?

If I wanted to make it fizzy, a bit like Strongbow, how do o go about that? Is it a case of a different sort of yeast or do I add some sort of carbinating agent?

If I wanted to make it 'thicker', a bit like Henry Westons/Scrumpy Cider, how would I go about doing that?

Thanks in advance

 

[stesmi]

You make it fizzy by adding about a teaspoon of sugar per 500ml bottle at bottling. This will cause secondary fermentation and because the bottle is sealed will reincorporate co2 into your cider. I'm not sure what you mean by thicker, but one way people increase mouth feel in wine is by adding glycerin (the stuff you get for baking). This will also work in cider.
If you want to sweeten it then the easiest way is to back sweeten by adding a non fermentable sweetener, like splenda or truvia. This is also added at bottling. There are other ways, but this is the easiest. Good luck

 

[Scaff]

I find that if you add water to the original mix it makes a watery drink, I had this on a beer kit ages ago.

I just use juice (Apple / grape / other fruit) in my turbos



Scaff

 

[Petei1507]

Thanks for all of the responses


I've been reading up on Turbo Yeast and not all reviews about it are the best. Is this because it does actually take away the flavour of the apples? If I was to substitute a normal yeast with the above recipe, what sort of abv am I looking at then? Would the flavour be any different?

Thanks

 

[stesmi]

Thanks for all of the responses


I've been reading up on Turbo Yeast and not all reviews about it are the best. Is this because it does actually take away the flavour of the apples? If I was to substitute a normal yeast with the above recipe, what sort of abv am I looking at then? Would the flavour be any different?

Thanks

Turbo yeast will give you a dry cider. It will be mouth puckering dry. Lots of people like this style. If you want it sweeter, without back sweetening, then perhaps use a sweet white wine yeast. Just a thought. Wine yeast will handle 12 to 13% ABV easily :drunk:

 

[Crusty]

If you want to sweeten it then the easiest way is to back sweeten by adding a non fermentable sweetener, like splenda or truvia. This is also added at bottling. There are other ways, but this is the easiest. Good luck

I'm about to bottle my first TC but I'm not sure how much sweetener to add.
My missus likes cider dry, but we don't want it mouth twistingly, undrinkably dry. Maybe just enough sweetener to "take the edge off".

Any ideas?

 

[engineer]

If in doubt don't add any and sweeten with a little cold AJ from the fridge when having a drinky....

 

[stesmi]

I'm about to bottle my first TC but I'm not sure how much sweetener to add.
My missus likes cider dry, but we don't want it mouth twistingly, undrinkably dry. Maybe just enough sweetener to "take the edge off".

Any ideas?

A wee bit at a time, then taste. Maybe 1 sachet at a time? Too much will spoil it in my opinion as sweetner can taste a bit sickly after a while. Enjoy