froth?!

[raine]

hi all, i have just attempted to make cider for the first time. i used a juicer and have got about 3/4 of a demijohn. Thing is- there is an awful lot of froth on top that is practically solid.Will this be ok? also i've added a campden tablet so do i now wait until i add yeast or do i put yeast in staight away? any help gratefully received!

[rustylady]

What recipe are you using Raine? What else do you have in the demijohn apart from apple juice? I've never made cider so I can only help with general advice re winemaking.

[Two_Sheds]

If it's anything like winemaking: you could do the primary (vigorous) fermentation in a bucket, then put in DJ when it's settled down, after 4 days or so.

Campden tablet sterilises the fruit, but will kill yeast: wait 24 hours before you add the yeast.

[raine]

i'm following the recipe in this months kitchen garden but i'm not sure I've got it right!

[SarzWix]

Yeah, like Two_Sheds said, wait 24 hours before adding yeast. In that time, the froth will probably settle a bit too. If you're doing it in a demi-john, then stand it somewhere cleanable for the first few days - on a big tray, or the draining board, something like that, and be prepared to have to clean the air-lock out daily too.

[Two_Sheds]

be prepared to have to clean the air-lock out daily too.

Or, use a plug of cotton wool until the ferment has calmed down a bit

[rustylady]

I always do my primary fermentation in a bucket - much easier to keep an eye on things.

[raine]

right i think ive mislead you all! I should have described it best as foam-the actual fermentation thingy is not happening at all!!! Can i do anything about it?

[rustylady]

Have you added any yeast yet?

[SarzWix]

I'd be tempted to put the whole lot through a jelly bag or muslin then I think, to try and reduce the quantity of foam.

If your juicer is making so much of it then you may be better off extracting the apple juice by grating or mincing or finely chopping the apples in whatever food processer or mincer you own or can borrow, and then squeezing the pulp by hand in a jelly bag or old pair of stockings. It's a palaver but it doesn't produce foam

[raine]

many thanks! I haven't added any yeast yet but I'm doing it now-do you think it will still work?

[rustylady]

Don't see why not. Are you still doing it in a demijohn?

[raine]

yep!-my next question is...(sorry to be a pain) but how much yeast will i need? Ive been trying to look at other sites but they dont say.

[rustylady]

yep!-my next question is...(sorry to be a pain) but how much yeast will i need? Ive been trying to look at other sites but they dont say.

Right Raine - I think we need to know exactly what you have done with your original lot of juice. Step by step right through to where you are now.

[raine]

right!- apples pulped, then juiced .Into demijohn. loose bung-then left! lots of foam but no 'active fermentation' that i can see. oh and I added Campden tablet was added a couple of days ago! have i mucked it up then?!