When it comes to making your own hard cider at home, the question of whether you can use regular yeast is a common one. The good news is that yes, you can indeed use regular yeast for making hard cider. In fact, using bread yeast, commonly known as regular yeast, is a simple and accessible option for beginners who are just starting their cider-making journey.
Using regular yeast, such as bread yeast, can be a convenient choice because it is widely available and inexpensive. You can easily find it at your local grocery store, making it a readily accessible option for aspiring cider makers. Additionally, using regular yeast can yield satisfactory results when making hard cider, especially if you’re looking for a simple and straightforward fermentation process.
While regular yeast can certainly be used for hard cider, it’s important to note that there are specific cider yeast strains available in the market that are specifically formulated for cider production. These specialized yeast strains are known for their ability to bring out the unique flavors and aromas in cider, resulting in a more refined and complex final product.
However, if you’re just starting out and want to experiment with making hard cider at home without investing in specialized yeast, regular yeast can serve as a suitable alternative. It may not produce the same level of complexity as using cider yeast, but it can still yield a tasty and enjoyable drink.
When using regular yeast for hard cider, it’s important to keep a few things in mind to ensure a successful fermentation process. Firstly, it’s crucial to sanitize all your equipment thoroughly to prevent any unwanted bacteria or contaminants from affecting the quality of your cider.
Next, it’s recommended to choose the right type of apples for your cider. While regular yeast can ferment the sugars in various apple varieties, opting for specific cider apples with high sugar and tannin content can enhance the overall flavor profile of your cider.
In terms of the fermentation process, regular yeast may take longer to fully ferment the cider compared to dedicated cider yeast strains. It’s essential to monitor the progress of fermentation by checking the specific gravity of the cider using a hydrometer. This will help you determine when the fermentation process is complete and when it’s time to move on to bottling and aging.
While regular yeast can produce alcohol during fermentation, it may not have the same level of tolerance for higher alcohol content as specialized cider yeast. This means that your cider may have a lower ABV (alcohol by volume) when using regular yeast. However, this can be adjusted by adding additional sugar to the cider, allowing the yeast to continue fermenting and raise the alcohol content.
It’s important to note that the flavor profile of your cider may vary when using regular yeast compared to specialized cider yeast strains. Regular yeast may result in a simpler and less complex flavor profile, while cider yeast can bring out distinct fruity and spicy notes.
In conclusion, you can use regular yeast, such as bread yeast, for making hard cider. While it may not yield the same level of complexity and flavor profile as specialized cider yeast strains, regular yeast can still produce a delicious and enjoyable homemade cider. So, don’t hesitate to embark on your cider-making adventure using regular yeast, and have fun experimenting with different apple varieties and fermentation techniques!
