Old Fashioned Cider Mill A Treat to Visitors

In the United States and Canada, cider refers to plain apple juice from a mixture of several varieties of apples.

Apples ready for grinding and pressing, producing a sweet, clear cider the old fashioned way. NTDTV

NEW YORK—In Europe, cider is an alcoholic drink made from fermented apples, while in the United States and Canada, cider refers to plain apple juice from a mixture of several varieties of apples. Just outside of New York is an old fashioned cider mill that is well worth the trip. Fly Creek Cider Mill is 153 years old and does cider the traditional way.

Autumn is harvest time and the Honey Crisp, McIntosh, Gala, and Ginger Gold apples are all being transformed into pure apple cider. Three or more varieties are a good mix for the cider. “The more apples the richer the cider is going to be,” said facility manager Jack Stanton. According to Owner Bill Michaels, the apple press is 120 years old and the mill is powered by a turbine water wheel.

“Our cider is made the traditional rag and cloth methods,” Michaels said. “We feel that it’s a little bit slower pressed because of the time it takes to make it, therefore, we are not extruding the juice so fast that other things come through with it, we feel that our cider is a lot clearer, and it has a bit more of a clean taste, because it is so clear and pure.”

“The earlier years the main reason for the cider mill was to press other people’s apples,” said Stanton. “All the local farmers, town people, they all have a few apple trees, they would come and have their cider pressed.”