best way to store apple juice?

Hi.

Newbie here. Looking into options for storing freshly pressed apple juice (as well as pickling, jams etc).

I have three apple trees that are very productive and been given a press by friends.

I was contemplating the week jars, as I'd ike them to be long lasting. The pearl jars look good as well.

The (perhaps obvious) question, is; is this the best way to store apple juice? Is there a better way?

May progress to making cider / vinegar eventually ....but wanted to master the storage of juice first!

Any advice?

Thanks

Rob, Cardiff, UK.

I assume week jars and pearl jars are for canning.  I am not familiar with them and I assume they are not local for me.

Which have the best price and are they available local for you?

To me making apple cider is a great way to store apple juice or apple cider vinegar:

https://permies.com/t/268921/apple-cider

https://permies.com/t/95792/apple-cider-vinegar-apples

Hi Robert,

Welcome to Permies.

Robert: Would you consider storing apple juice concentrate? Take a large portion of apple juice and reduce it to about a third of its original volume. Can it or freeze it as usual.

We've never "re-constituted" it to drink as apple juice, however we've used it for sweetening other things (jam and applesauce, in our case), and it seems quite effective at that function.

I love storing apple juice in pint canning jars. We also freeze it in gallon jugs.

I also store apple juice as hard-cider or vinegar.

We used to freeze it after pressing. If stored, unsterilized, at room temperature it will start fermenting within days.

Hi Rob, welcome to permies!
That was a nice present from your friends!

I think there is some good advice above, particularly that apple juice will need to be processed somehow to have a good shelf life. I think you could probably pasteurise it and then put in sterilised bottles or jars, but I haven't tried this, so don't know how practical it would be on a home scale. I think this is why (hard) cider was invented - that is what happens if you try and store apple juice!

Applesyrup look like it is easy to make  ( here for example ) and you can concentrate the juice further if you have plenty, and make a fruit spread which is delicious!

I have pasteurized fresh apple cider. It will stop fermentation (as well as eliminate any pathogens). What I like about pasteurization is that it doesn't alter the flavor of the cider. Boiling or canning apple cider makes it taste like the apple juice you buy at the grocery store. I stored it at room temp. in 1/2 gal. glass mason jars (sterilizing the jars & lids would be a good thing). You get a good enough vacuum seal if you fill the jars with 160 degree cider and tighten the lids.

Hard cider. I guess it"s not for everyone, but it's sooooo easy to make. You can find instructional videos everywhere. Keeps forever, makes a wonderful gift.

Robert Goldsmith wrote:Hi.

Newbie here. Looking into options for storing freshly pressed apple juice (as well as pickling, jams etc).
.... wanted to master the storage of juice first!
Any advice?
Thanks
Rob, Cardiff, UK.

Wise decision, because from your pasteurized juice, you can later make the others, and it is so easy: No pressure cooking or water bath. Just pour and snap lid immediately. Most commercially processed juices are heated to about 85°C (185°F) for about 16 seconds to destroy germs. But assuming our kitchens are more primitive/ not as well equipped You might choose a longer time. Do use a thermometer.
After filtering it very well, I pasteurize and bottle them. I still have a couple of bottles of last year. I kept it at that temp for about 10 minutes. The jars have to be really clean, so I boil them and dry them upside down on a rack.
I try to fill them when they are good and dry but still hot.
Make sure to boil your funnel as well!
I use the E-Z cap snap lid bottles: They are very convenient, and the snap lid on top can be used again and again.
This is what they look like. I'm pretty sure you have them in the UK as well.
https://www.google.com/search?q=E-Z+cap+snap+lid+bottles&sca_esv=316e97512ac41894&rlz=1C1ONGR_enUS1080US1081&sxsrf=AE3TifOLJByP93YuxBj575M6zm6CpDW0iA%3A1755112666669&ei=2uScaM3EKOetptQPt82U2QQ&ved=0ahUKEwjNmaaYwIiPAxXnlokEHbcmJUsQ4dUDCBA&uact=5&oq=E-Z+cap+snap+lid+bottles&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiGEUtWiBjYXAgc25hcCBsaWQgYm90dGxlczIIEAAYogQYiQUyCBAAGKIEGIkFMgUQABjvBTIIEAAYgAQYogRI_HVQnRhY5V9wAXgBkAEAmAGGAaABlgaqAQM0LjS4AQPIAQD4AQGYAgmgAq8GwgIKEAAYsAMY1gQYR8ICBxAjGLACGCfCAgsQABiABBiGAxiKBcICChAhGKABGMMEGAqYAwCIBgGQBgiSBwM1LjSgB5AfsgcDNC40uAerBsIHBTAuOC4xyAcT&sclient=gws-wiz-serp