How to Make Apple Cider Vinegar

From time immemorial, apple cider has been an integral part of the human race. Apple cider vinegar has dual usage - as a medicinal remedy and also in cooking. The uses for apple cider vinegar in terms of health and beauty are numerous, which you may be aware of. Apple cider vinegar has a number of benefits which can be reaped with a regular use. And what's good is that it's time to bid goodbye to hunting for apple cider in stores, as you can make apple cider vinegar.

Concocting Apple Cider Vinegar from Apple Juice

Just as I mentioned above, you can prepare apple cider vinegar at home, and it is quite a simple procedure and does not consume time. Here is an apple cider recipe from scratch using apple juice and other ingredients.

• Apples, 4 to 5
• Cake or wine making yeast, 1 package
• Sugar syrup or honey (optional)

Preparation

1. For the apple cider vinegar, choose fully ripe apples, without worms or blemishes. The reason for this is that there is a high content of sugar in ripe apples. Wash the apples properly, and cut them into small pieces after coring out the pips.
2. Place them in a blender and mash them till they let out the juice. Strain the juice with the help of a cheesecloth, and pour it into a nonmetallic container. (Metal tends to react with vinegar, hence store vinegar in a glass bottle or a plastic container).
3. Keep a cup of apple juice aside and stir in the yeast till it completely dissolves in the juice. Now, pour this mixture into the container which has the remaining apple juice and stir it.
4. Cover the container with a cheesecloth and place it in a dark place, having room temperature of about 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Stir this mixture after a gap of every two days with a wooden ladle, for about three to four weeks.
5. After the stipulated time is over, taste the apple cider vinegar for the desired flavor. If you find the taste up to the mark, filter the vinegar to strain the yeast, and transfer it into a large, heavy bottom pot. If not, let it stand for a few days more.
6. Place this pot over medium heat and keep stirring it to pasteurize it. Check the temperature, with the help of a cooking thermometer. If the temperature indicates 140 degrees Fahrenheit, then remove the container from the heat and allow it to cool.
7. With the help of a funnel, pour the apple cider vinegar into a glass bottle. Secure the lid tightly, and place the bottle in a hot water bath. Once the bottle has cooled down, rub it dry and store the bottled apple cider in a dark, cool and dry place.

Making Apple Cider Vinegar Toner

Apple cider vinegar is also an excellent skin toner, which helps fight against skin problems and reduces scars and blemishes. Here is a simple method for making the toner out of apple cider vinegar, using a few easily available ingredients.

• Unfiltered apple cider vinegar, 2 to 3 cups
• Spring or distilled water, 1 cup
• Aloe vera, 2 tablespoons
• Chamomile flower, 1 tablespoon
• Green tea, ½ cup
• Rose water, 2 tablespoons

Preparation

1. For making skin toner, you should boil the distilled water in a saucepan. To this add green tea (prepared by steeping tea leaves with boiling water), and chamomile flower, after removing it from heat.
2. Allow the mixture to stand for about 15 to 20 minutes, till the ingredients infuse. With the help of a strainer, filter the solution into a glass bottle and add the apple cider, aloe vera and rose water.
3. Shake the bottle thoroughly, and store it in a cool place. Applying this toner on the face, with the help of a cotton ball, will help tighten the skin pores and also make blemishes disappear.

If you are wondering how to make apple cider vinegar taste better, you can try adding three to four teaspoons of honey. This will create a spiked apple cider and also improve the flavor of the vinegar and will taste a bit sweet.