Cider
Our cider is made from picked apples that are graded according to quality. The premium apples are sold in our market, while the smaller apples are used for cider. All cider apples are washed before being used. A blend of different apple verities is used to enhance the cider flavor. Cider is made using a stainless stell press. The apples are put through a grinder which is something like a food processor. The pomace (ground up apple) is then placed in a cloth and squeezed under pressure to force the juice through the cloth. The juice collects in a tank under the press. The cider is then pumped to a stainless steel tank where it is put through a pasteurization process and cooled. The cider is then jugged and put in refrigeration until it is sold. We sell thre sizes of cider, gallons, half gallons, and quarts.
Cider production is regulated by the FDA and the Ohio Department of Agriculture, Food Safety Division. We are inspected annually to assure that we conform to stringent cider manufacturing guidelines. These guidelines are called Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point. Most local orchards have chosen not to comply with these guidelines due to equipment costs and required record keeping and therefore have elected not to press their own cider. Crossroad Orchard is the only orchard in Montgomery Country that presses cider using these guidelines. We have even received and excellent inspection report from the Ohio Department of Agriculture.