Tag: nitrogen

Cider Musings: Sulfur Odors

The Smell of Sulfur

Musing: I believe you are more likely to create sulfur odors adding yeast nutrients than preventing them. Let me explain. The general belief is that sulfur aromas are created when yeast are stressed and lack nutrients, especially nitrogen. This is a true statement but, it’s also a statement about wine, not cider. Cider will generally … Continue reading Cider Musings: Sulfur Odors →

Cider Question: Apples or Yeast

Apples or Yeast

Which is more important when making great cider, the apple varieties you use in your juice blend or the yeast you use? It’s not an easy question to answer. If I asked whether the apples were more important than the shape of the fermenter, most of us would probably say the apple. I recognize that … Continue reading Cider Question: Apples or Yeast →

How Nitrogen Impacts Cider Fermentation

Nitrogen and Cider: The Impact

In other articles, I’ve noted how nitrogen is one of the key compounds yeast need to turn apple juice into hard cider. It’s essential for protein synthesis and protein is needed to transport sugar into the yeast cell. Sugar creates the energy, ATP, needed for cell function and reproduction or what we prefer to call … Continue reading How Nitrogen Impacts Cider Fermentation →

Cider Nutrients: The Need for Nitrogen (YAN)

Cider Nutrients: The Need for Nitrogen

Many books and articles that you read on fermenting wine talk about how you need to add nutrients and specifically nitrogen to ensure a healthy ferment. While lack of other nutrients can slow or stop fermentation prematurely, nitrogen is considered the number one cause for wine fermentation to slow or stop. This is because nitrogen … Continue reading Cider Nutrients: The Need for Nitrogen (YAN) →