Homemade Apple Cider Vinegar is incredibly easy to make using only three ingredients and a little bit of time. The health benefits are vast for both animals and humans alike.
Making apple cider vinegar from scratch
I know, you can buy a gallon of apple cider vinegar for pretty cheap at almost every big box stores and grocery store around. So why make your own? You might already know this, but good QUALITY apple cider vinegar with the “mother” can be pricey, like my favorite brand Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar. This means making it yourself does actually save you money if you want the best health benefits.
Watch this video to see how we made apple cider vinegar at home or read below for health benefits and recipe.
What are the health benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar is the most popular type of vinegar in the natural health community. It is claimed to lead to all sorts of benefits, many of which are supported by science or are in the process of being studied. These benefits include weight loss, reduced cholesterol, lower blood sugar levels and improved symptoms of diabetes in humans and is thought to keep diseases away in chickens and other livestock but this has not YET been scientifically proven.
The main substance in vinegar, acetic acid, which can kill harmful bacteria or prevent bacteria from multiplying. Apple cider vinegar has a history of use as a disinfectant and natural preservative.
Apple cider vinegar studies:
1. Diabetes and blood sugar levels hen taking Apple cider vinegar.
2. Weight loss benefits of apple cider vinegar.
How is apple cider vinegar made?
The science behind apple cider vinegar is similar to making alcohol. The first step exposes crushed apples (or apple cider) to yeast, which ferment the sugars and turn them into alcohol. In the second step, bacteria are added to the alcohol solution, which further ferments the alcohol and turns it into acetic acid — the main active compound in vinegar.
Loving this antique Apple peeler and corer we picked up in a small New Mexico mountain town.
Fun Fact: the French word "vinegar" actually means "sour wine."
The finished apple cider vinegar product contains a "mother” (similar to your kombucha), containing strands of proteins, enzymes, and friendly bacteria that give the product a murky appearance and protect it from unhealthy molds.
Learn how to make apple cider vinegar using local organic apples and two other ingredients.
We used local apples we found at Philmont Scout Ranch. I have no idea how old these trees are but I would venture to say over 20 years old. The ranch probably has over 50-75 trees planted around the grounds. Every year staff take some and the deer get the rest. Chef Hubby happens to cook for their ranch committee every year around the same time the apples are ripe. This year we decided to take enough for both Thanksgiving apples pies and homemade apple cider vinegar. The only ingredients we needed to purchase was organic sugar. I don’t use organic products all the time, but I feel like if you are going to make a homemade product for health benefits why not? We also picked up a bottle of Bragg’s organic unfiltered apple cider vinegar and added some to help get the process going, this is not necessary if you are on a budget as it only helps the process get started a little quicker.
To make a batch of apple cider vinegar you need three ingredients: apples, purified water, and sugar -bonus if you get organic products and can find someone to give you an apple cider vinegar starter.
Directions for Apple Cider Vinegar:
Starting with clean containers and tools will ensure you keep our unwanted bacteria and mold.
Add Apples to a jar, enough apples to fill a little less than 3/4 of your clean glass container.
Cover the apples with water, use purified water if possible and don’t use water from a softener, as the salt can stall the process. Don’t fill the container all the way up. You will need room for the gas bubbles that will form.
Add Sugar, use the following ratios as a measure: 1½ pounds apples + 4 tablespoons sugar + 1 liter water.
Cover and store. Cover your jar with cheese cloth , do not close the jar as this part of the process needs oxygen and will let off gas. Make sure and store the mixture in a temperate environment (pantry or the top of the fridge will work).
Strain apple bits after two weeks and replace liquid into glass container. Feed apple bits to chickens.
Let sit for another 2-4 weeks. (Longer won’t hurt).
Use it. You can move you finished apple cider vinegar to smaller containers or put a lid on the finished product and store.
How much Apple Cider Vinegar Should Be Taken A Day?
Apple cider vinegar to water ratio for chickens:
1 tablespoon ACV per gallon of water.Recommend apple cider vinegar amounts for human consumption:
1-2 tablespoons taken before meals.
You don’t need perfect apples to make this recipe. Ask around for friends that might be willing to share some apple bounty with you. In exchange you can take them a jar for homemade apple cider vinegar.
