"cider" news and stories

I can't resist picking up jug apple cider whenever I stop by my local farmer's market. I've always loved the stuff, and I remember begging my mom to bring some home from the supermarket every fall when I was younger. Now that I can get it on my own and drink as much as I want (that's right, mom: sometimes I drink juice not milk), I love it even more. It's just so thick and delicious -- perfect in a cold, tall glass on an autumn afternoon, but also for cooking, mulling, and even baking! Here are some innovative ways to incorporate this fall treat into your daily diet...

Apple cider chicken -- One of my favorite fall recipes from Eating Well

Martha Stewart's spiced apple cider from Martha Stewart

Apple butter from 101 Cookbooks

Mulled apple cider sorbet from Epicurious

Warm autumn punch from All Recipes

Garden salad with apple cider vinaigrette from the Food Network

Apple walnut cake with apple cider glaze from Big Oven

Cider-glazed root vegetables from the Washington Post

Although I've always felt this way, it is nice to be vindicated. That lovely, thick, cloudy apple "cider" that you see in your farmers market or supermarket in the fall is way better for you than the clear, filtered apple juice.

Researchers have found that the cloudy cider has much more antioxidants than clear apple juice. Just as you would think, when the cloudy apple juice is filtered all the good stuff gets stripped right out, along with much of the tart and tangy flavor. Sure the clear juice looks nicer, and has a much longer shelf life, but the health benefits are much less.

The cloudy juice has up to four times the levels of polyphenols, a group of antioxidant plant compounds and in experiments the cloudy juice was the more effective free radical scavenger. The research even looked at juice made from several varieties of apples and found that some have even more health benefits than others. Of course the old adage of an apple a day keeps the doctor away still stands. If you want to most vitamins, antioxidants, polyphenols, etc. then just eat a nice fresh whole apple.

On just a side note. What most of the US calls cider, that nice cloudy fresh squeezed apple juice, is more properly called sweet cider. Cider, also called hard cider, is the alcoholic, fermented juice.

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Hot chocolate, eggnog and even gingerbread lattes are all wonderful winter options, but there isn't anything quite like apple cider to warm you up. The smell of apples and spice really is the scent of the season. Cider, Hard and Sweet: History, Traditions, and Making Your Own is a great reference for all things cider-related. It has a detailed history of cider and cider-making, as well as information about the types of apples that make the best cider and exactly how to do it yourself. The author is very enthusiastic about his subject and is an engaging writer, so a casual reader will get a good overview while someone who is really intent on studying the subject will take away a good deal of knowledge. Sweet cider and fermented "hard" cider are covered in depth, but one feature that seems to be unique to this book is the chapter spent on Tasting and Evaluating Cider, which provides some insights into quality that you won't find anywhere else.

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At about this time last year, we took a look at a couple of the most fattening cocktails out there. This list, which includes Pina Coladas and Long Island iced teas, still stands, but during the holiday season you're not going to be reaching for a fruity, ice blended concoction if it's snowing outside. Holiday drinks can be hot and steamy or rich and creamy, but it's a good idea to keep tabs on the calorie counts to avoid blowing your efforts to keep your diet under control during the holidays. Here are a couple of calorie counts for some common seasonal drinks:

• Hot spiced cider is usually only lightly sweetened, since apple juice is naturally sweet anyway. A half-cup serving has only about 80 calories.
• Hot buttered rum has about 200 calories and 4 grams of fat per serving, which involves a bit of buttery batter being stirred into a cup with a shot of rum and hot water.
• Eggnog, if you're opting for a tradition version, will have about 450 calories and 22 grams of fat per serving. Fortunately, there are some ways to lighten it up a bit, like using a milk-based recipe, rather than a cream-based one. A part-milk, part-cream recipe should give you a middle ground.
• Hot Cocoa could have up to 300 calories and 8.5 grams of fat per serving, excluding whipped cream or marshmallows, but can also be lightened by using a lower fat milk in the recipe.
• Champagne Punch is bubbly, refreshing and packed with fruity flavors that are more festive than summery. A half-cup serving will run about 105 calories.
• Chai Lattes can really warm you up with spices and are a nice change from sweet ciders and thick nogs. A one-cup serving will probably come out around 110 calories and 3 grams of fat, although this is also a recipe that could use lower fat milk.

There are many more drinks to choose from this season, and not all of them will be high in fat or calories, but keeping these drinks in your mind as treats will help you to keep your intake under control and to enjoy them more during the holidays.

Peels is a brand of alcoholic mixed drinks that, unlike most others in their category, are made with real fruit juice. Like so many mixed drinks, they are aimed a women, but their flavors - Blueberry Pomegranate, Cranberry Peach and Strawberry Passion Fruit - should appeal to anyone who likes fruity flavors. For this holiday season, the company has released a new flavor, Spiced Apple. The drink is made with 100% natural ingredients and tastes similar to a classic spiced cider, with the crisp taste of apples and the warming scent of cinnamon. It can even be heated up, although the rest of the Peels drinks are generally meant to be served cold. It contains 5% alcohol by volume and the company says that it is "perfect for a girls' night-in, a seasonal party or just enjoying in front of the fire."

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