Today, November 18th, marks an important date: National Apple Cider Day. Anyone can bring some warmth to the colder and snowier days by drinking a glass of warm apple cider to celebrate National Apple Cider Day.
National Apple Cider Day was first mentioned in 2015 in a printed newspaper from a local library in Espanola, Mexico. The Espanola Public Library decided to give out free apple cider from 10 AM to 12 PM or until supplies ran out. On November 18th, Swiss patriot, William Tell, shot an apple off his son’s head; this became a legend to the people who lived in Switzerland. This story is not believed to be real, yet its widespread influence represented political and individual freedom. However, people say this legend is the background behind National Apple Cider Day, and in order to celebrate William Tell (or your love for cider), grab a glass of your favorite apple cider.
The process of making apple cider is very manageable. You start by quartering your apples, adding them to a bowl with sugar, cinnamon, and allspice, and adding about two inches of water to cover them. Then boil the spices and apples uncovered for an hour, before simmering for two hours. Strain, and you have a perfect glass of apple cider. You can heat it up, turn it into a slushy, or just drink it room temperature.
“Hot apple cider on a cool day is so yum,” senior Tiffani Bauman said. In addition, she talked about how she had never heard of Apple Cider Day, but now planned to celebrate it by buying apple cider from Walmart.
The crisp, refreshing taste of apple cider is unmistakable in the immediate feeling of fall being wrapped around you. As I asked people their preferred temperature of apple cider, there was an overwhelming consensus of preferring the temperature of their apple cider to be cold.
Senior Adelaide Kota likes to drink cold apple cider, and after hearing about National Apple Cider Day, she says she plans to celebrate by “ drinking apple cider!”
If you’re wondering where to buy apple cider this fall, look no further; a local favorite in Champaign is Curtis Orchard. There you can find apples, pumpkins, freshly made apple cider, and much more to explore.
“Me and my boyfriend plan to go to Curtis Apple Orchard to celebrate National Apple Cider Day,” senior Kalayah Williams said. “I love cold Apple Cider.”
What is the difference between apple juice and apple cider? The main difference between the two beverages is how they are produced. While apple juice goes through an extensive filtering process to become shelf-stable and refined, apple cider contains apple sediment, which creates its complex taste. Apple cider is not shelf-stable because it is unpasteurized and unfiltered.
Ultimately, everyone seems to have a positive opinion of this drink. “I like apple cider,” freshman Esosa Ogbegor said, “It’s very yummy, like a complicated apple juice.”
Mark your calendars for National Apple Cider Day. From local orchards to big stores, a glass of apple cider can refresh you or bring warmth to a cozy fall day.