Homemade Apple Juice

When it comes to your family, don’t you want them to have the healthiest things available? An organic apple picked fresh from the tree is the best way to go.

We have been blessed to have neighbors with un-sprayed fruit trees and they love to share with us so we share back the fruit after being processed. Organic apples may not always be the prettiest apples, but they make some really, good and healthy juice and applesauce. 

Supplies needed to make Homemade Apple Juice:

• Energy/Help to pick apples
• Crates or bushel baskets
• Sharp knife
• Juicer/Steamer
• Food Mill/Grinder
• Stevia or Splenda optional
• Canning Jars
• Canning Lids & rings
• Large stockpot or pressure cooker  
• Hand Towel

Instructions to make homemade Apple Juice:

1. Making apple juice and or applesauce is not hard; however, it is time consuming. To make apple juice and sauce you will want some good help.
2. Take crates or bushel baskets and head to the apples trees. Pick the apples and put them into the crates. Using your wagon to haul the crates makes the job easier.
3. Run cold water into your sink and dump some of the apples into it. Washing your apples is still important even with organic apples.
4. Inspect your apples for bruises and wormholes as you rinse them off. Cut your apples into quarters. With a Matti & Maija (Mehu-Liisa) steamer juicer there is no need to remove seeds and stems although it is advised to cut away bruised spots or imperfections.
5. As your apples are cooking down and producing apple juice, continue to wash and cut apples to fill the hopper. This process can take a few hours. Do not forget to sample your sweet fresh juice as it comes out.
6. To make the applesauce, take the cooked apples from the top of the steamer. Rice the pulp out of the apples, using a food mill or grinder. My husband bought a Victorio food strainer several years back, which makes the job of making juices easier than the old-fashioned ricer.
7. Depending the quantity of apple juice you desire, and using hot soapy water; wash pint, quart or half gallon canning jars.
8. Fill the hot jars with hot apple juice and or applesauce. With a wet cloth, wipe the top of your canning jar clean. Place clean hot canning lid on top of the jar and tighten with the ring.
9. With boiling water in your stockpot or pressure cooker, place the canning jars in the water and continue to boil for 20 minutes.
10. Take the jars out of the water and place on a dry hand towel to cool. Make sure to keep air space in-between jars as they cool.
11. Place your sealed jars in your pantry to use all year long.

Tips:

• Change up your juice by adding banana, carrots and apple pie spice. Make the apple juice your personal blend in which your family will enjoy.

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