Homemade Crab Apple Juice

Homemade Crab Apple Juice

If you've never seen a crab apple before, they look like cherries. Their small size makes them ideal for processing into juice rather than a pie!

• 4 Liters of Crab Apples
• 4 tsp Cream of Tartar (helps keep the apples from oxidizing and turning brown)
• 5 Quarts Boiling Water
• 1 cup Sugar or Honey

1. Wash and cut the crab apples in half.
2. Place in a large bowl (do not use a metal container) and sprinkle with cream of tartar, then pour boiling water over top.
3. Leave it to sit for 24 hours covered on the counter.
4. Refrigerate up to 4 or 5 days.
5. Then drain the juice through a cheese cloth or fine mesh strainer and discard the apples.
6. Boil the juice for 15 minutes with 1 cup of sugar.
7. If you want to preserve it:

Fill a hot water canner with water and place 6 quart jars into the canner and bring to a boil for 15 minutes or place the jars on a baking sheet and place them in the oven for 10 minutes at 250 F.

With the jars still hot, ladle hot crab apple juice into sterilized quart jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Clean the jar rim off with a paper towel dipped in a little white vinegar and place the lid on finger tight (not wrist tight). Then place the jars of juice in the hot water bath; the water should cover the jars by 2 inches.

Place a lid on the canner and once the water returns to a boil, start the 10-minute timer. After 10 minutes, turn off the heat and remove the lid. Let it sit uncovered for 5 minutes before lifting the jars out. Place the jars on a dish towel on the counter and leave them for 24 hours to seal properly. After 24 hours remove the screw bands and check that the jars have sealed (the button on the lid should be down and stay down and if you lift the jar up by the button lid it should remain intact with a tight seal to the jar. Wipe the jars, label and date them. Store in a dark, cool location.

If you don't want to can the juice, allow it to cool and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks or freeze it in scalded containers with 1/2 inch headspace for expansion.

The juice can also be used to make a crab apple jelly.