ACV is just one of those grocery staples that you must keep in your kitchen. Organic and with Mother* is the only way you should have it.

I know that sounds bossy, but you know me well enough to know, that it is for good reason(s). Ready?! Here goes a few… bug bites, rash/mild skin irritation, detoxifier, rinse for canker sores, weight loss aid, soothes pet skin irritations, cleaner, weed/insect deterant, odor neutralizer, energy boost, gut health and the list just gets longer. The benefits are enormous and no matter what you do it will only help. 

* the beneficial bacteria that builds up during fermentation.

Making your own will save you money and you will have more on hand for plenty more uses.

Here’s what you do

Remember how in my last post I told you to keep the peels and cores (from a 12 quart stock pan of apples), I hope you did because now is when you need them. Put them in a steel (not aluminum) stock pan.

Cover with water by 4 inches. Add 4 cups of sugar and stir VERY well!

Use a fermentation weight (I used 2 stoneware plates turned upside down) to submerge apples and peels. ** very important! All solids need to stay submerged to prevent mold!!**

Cover with at least 4 layers of cheese cloth and secure with twine or rope. 

Place in a dark room that stays the same temp on average. Check every 3-4 days to make sure solids are submerged, but do not disturb otherwise for 3 weeks. You will notice a scoby (google it) forming on the top. This is good DO NOT REMOVE! 

**Nats love cider vinegar so keep an extra piece of single layer fabric laid over the top.**

After 3 weeks, remove solids and scoby but do not strain (you will remove the Mother if you do- this is a bad thing, so don’t do it) You can let it sit for 2 more weeks if you want it more tart or transfer to stove and over low to medium heat (4-5) bring temp to 200 degrees,(needs to be that temp to seal the lid without waterbath process, do not get hotter or it will destroy the good bacteria).

Soak lids in boiling water, transfer vinegar to 1 quart jars, wipe mouth of jars clean, place on lid and tighten rings. Leave sit over night to seal. 

Google all the benefits and have a lovely immune boosted winter

Jo 💟