Our Fresh Apple Cider
Millstone Creek Orchards is one of the few licensed non-pasteurized cider mills remaining in the state of North Carolina. During our fall season, we press over 300 gallons of fresh apple cider every week in the Apple Barn. Throughout the season, our cider will have slightly varying levels of tartness and sweetness depending on the apples pressed in each batch. Each bottle of cider has at least three different varieties of apples, giving our cider a balanced blend of sweet and tart for a flavor that we all love. No matter what time of the year you purchase your cider, our cider is a flavor burst that will keep you coming back for more.
The number #1 question we receive from guests is: “What’s the difference between 100% pure non-pasteurized apple cider and apple juice that you purchase in the grocery store?” There are three main differences:
1) Pasteurization: While our cider is 100% apple juice, our apple cider is in its “raw” form. We do not heat or cook the juice to kill the naturally occurring yeasts found in the fruits. Since we do not heat or pasteurize the cider, it must be kept refrigerated or frozen to prevent fermentation, which usually can begin about one week after it’s pressed. If fermentation begins, the cider will become slightly carbonated and eventually become so-called hard cider as the fermentation process turns the sugar into alcohol. For all our hard cider friends - watch for what’s to come in May 2024 at the Orchard!
2) Our filtration process: we lightly filter our juice, only once, to preserve as much of the natural apple flavor as possible.
3) Ingredients: our cider is made of 100% apples. No spices, no sugar, nothing besides farm fresh apples.
Our fresh-pressed cider is available daily September-December by the half gallon. If you’re making a trip out just for our cider, we suggest calling first as we do sell out. But if you’re looking for a cider fix before the fall season, grab an apple cider slushie - available daily!
In 2015, we were honored to have our apple cider served at the NC Lieutenant Governor's Christmas Open House. It was such an incredible opportunity to have our fresh cider recognized in such a special way.
Some Fun Facts About Our Cider:
~Since our cider is all fresh & all natural, it must be kept refrigerated.
~It will keep for about 14 days in the fridge (But most people drink it long before that!)
~We also sell it frozen --> there is no difference between the frozen and fresh juice.
~Our juice is cold pressed. No heat is used so that we can preserve all the natural flavors of the apple.
~Our cider is lightly filtered, so there tends to be some settling in the bottom of the jug. No worries - it's just fresh apple bits!
~One 1/2 gallon jug contains the juice of approximately 25-30 apples. That's why it's so tasty!
~We give out free samples of our cider at the orchard every single day. Stop by today for your free sample!
At Millstone Creek Orchards, your health and safety is our utmost concern, which is why we choose to follow very strict licensing processes. Once pressed, our cider is pumped into a 300 hundred gallon cooling tank where it’s then hand jugged and labeled. Available during our fall season and occasionally early season on a limited basis. Please call ahead to reserve large quantities.