Cider Makers Meet To Discuss Techniques CLAYTON, N.J. Ninety small cider processors from New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Maryland, and Delaware met on March 16 at the American Cyanamid Agricultural Center in Princeton. Entitled the Cider Symposium and sponsored by the New Jersey Horticultural Society, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, New Jersey Department of Agriculture, New Jersey Department of Health and the New Jersey Apple Indus uy Council, the focus of the meet ing was to organize and educate apple cider processors on new labeling requirements for cider and improved sanitation processes. According to Gary Mount, trea surer of the New Jersey Horticul tural Society, the hope was to get all New Jersey processors together to improve sanitation practices. “Unfortunately,” said Mr. Mount, “cider sales have been hurt because a very few processors out of the state have been marketing unsafe cider.” Dr. Don Schaffner, a food microbiologist and extension spe cialist in food science with Rut gers Cooperative Extension, dis ' m FISHER S PAINTING & FISHER’S PAINT OUTLET STORE QUALITY PAINTS @ REASONABLE PRICES Ptalnr ■ all types of interior & exterior U P J PAINTING ■ SANDBLASTING ■ ROOF COATING ■ RESTORATION & WATERPROOFING ON STONE & BRICK BUILDINGS HOUSES - BARNS - FENCES - FACTORIES - ETC. Specialists In Sand Blastlng/Spray Painting Farm Buildings, Feed Mills, Roofs, Tanks, Etc. 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Schaffner said, “all pressing equipment should be cleaned with a 200 PPM chlorine solution.” While most small cider processors might lose their market niche, the use of preservatives like sodium and potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate will effectively control the pathogens. Norman French of Conway, Mass., discussed different types of pressing and the process of pasteurization. French empha sized that pasteurization can change the flavor and clarity of cider, two disadvantages for small | TRACTORS & EQUIPMENT"] Serving Cwitral PA Sine* I*2l PILOTS! KELLER BROS. AIRPORT MM’ SUBWAY WO' Fran D-huMp MONOAY-mOAY 7:300:00 cider processors. Dr. Richard Hayden of Purdue University was the featured speak er of the symposium. Hayden showed a video of cider process ing operations in the Midwestern United States. “Many growers use ‘rack and cloth’ presses,” said Hayden. “However, many larger producers use the Shimko press.” This press gives a slight increase in yields of juice, and a significant decrease in cost Another interesting press was the Goodnature Squeezebox. Mount discussed his success with the squeezebox at his Terhune Orchards in Princeton, N.J. Hayden also emphasized that good cider should have 12-percent - 13-percent soluble solids, 5-per cent acid, and .OS-percent tannins. He grouped apple varieties based on the percentages of these com ponents to produce a quality cider. Ken Kolano, program manager, food and milk program. New Jersey Department of Health, dis cussed the nutritional labeling requirements that will have to be placed on cider after May 8,1994. “Some cider producers will be exempt based on units produced and volume of sales,” said Kola- INO FruHvlU* PMw, UneMMr, M 17(01 At llouM (01 FiulMllo MW SATURDAY 7:30-12:00 IDONTIOoIn ANY FURTHER! I TovumniriN I IANCAtnn PARMINO't I LANCASTER 717-569-2500 From left, Dr. Richard Hayden of Purdue, Ken Wlghtman of Wlghtman Farms, and Gary Mount of Terhune Orchards discuss cider processing at the Cider Symposium In Princeton, N.J. Wlghtman and Mount discussed their mod ern processing operations. Hayden discussed sanitation, processing, and blending. no. The New Jersey Horticultural Society was one of the Project Supporters of the International Apple Institute Cider Nutrition Labeling research. Kolano referred to samples of the label and definitions in the lAI fact sheet. Copies of the complete nutrition labels and fact sheets are available by writing the Interna- tional Apple Institute. A complete packet of informa tion on the program is available by writing Bill Tietjen, New Jersey Horticultural Society, Administra tion Bldg., 165 County Road, Route 519-S, Belvidere, N.J. 07823-1949. For mailing and copying send a check for $4 pay able to NJHS.