SHIFTING ROOTS

home, garden, food, and prairie lifestyle

  • About
    • Contact
    • Work With Me
    • Features
    • Privacy Policy
  • Blog
  • Gardening
    • How to Start a Garden: Especially if you’re in Zone 3 or Zone 2
    • Seed Starting
    • Vegetable Gardening
    • Perennials
    • Cut Flowers
    • Small Space Gardening
  • Recipes
    • Canning
    • Preserving
    • Prairie Fruits Cookbook
    • The Best Pumpkin Recipes
    • How to Make a Tempting Christmas Cookie Tray (Plus Recipes!)
  • Popular Posts
  • E-Books
    • Pretty & Practical Garden Planner
    • Cut Flowers Made Simple
    • Constant Colour Perennial Garden
    • Small Garden, Big Harvest
    • Growing Roots Online Gardening Course
    • Frost Proof Flower Garden
    • Bouquets Made Beautiful
    • Savvy Seed Saving Annual Cut flowers
    • Prairie Fruits Cookbook
    • Online Gardening Consultations
  • Seasons
    • Christmas

How to Make Crab Apple Juice

August 5, 2016

Pin646
Share1
Tweet
647 Shares

One of my happiest childhood memories is of drinking crab apple juice straight from the jar at my babysitter’s house.  The juice was always accompanied by some tasty home baked cookies and delightful conversation.  Now that I’m older, I wanted to recreate the magic.

IMG_2821

The Best Apples to Pick for Juice Making

Thankfully, friends of ours had an apple tree teaming with unwanted apples.  If you’re making juice, you can even use the apples that have fallen.  Make sure they’re not too bruised, and avoid those that the bugs have used for lunch.

I have found that a commercial ice cream pail (the ones in ice cream shops, not in stores) full of crab apples makes around 4 jars of juice.  This will very a bit depending on the variety of crab apples.

Related: 28 Hardy Fruits to Grow in Zone 2 and Zone 3

Have you ever wondered how to use up all your crab apples?  Try making homemade apple juice with a steamer juicer!  It's easy, healthy, delicious, and you control the sugar. #apples #crabapples #juice #juicing #canning #preserving #crabapplejuice

We also had a few sweet little helpers join us. . .

IMG_2784 2
No, I did not have a secret second child. This is one of my god daughters, Evelyn.

IMG_2788 2

30 minutes later the apples were picked and we were ready to make juice.  The help may or may not have eaten a few apples along the way.  No names shall be named.

IMG_2792

Making Crab Apple Juice With a Steam Juicer

Back in the kitchen, it was time to get started steaming the juice.  You will need:

  • Two large bowls filled with water and lemon juice
  • One bowl for scraps
  • Paring knives
  • Juicer
  • Large canning jars with lids & sealers
  • Large pot for canning
  • Wire basket or device for transferring the jars in and out of the water.

Read your juicers instructions thoroughly before starting!!

These are my perfect pie apples to be frozen for later use. My juice apples just needed to be cut in half with the stems removed. Your juicer may require something different, so please read the instructions.
These are my perfect pie apples to be frozen for later use. My juice apples just needed to be cut in half with the stems removed. Your juicer may require something different, so please read the instructions.

Start by sterilizing your jars.  This time around I sterilized my jars in the dishwasher and was happy with how easy this method was.  Enlist some friends to help you cut the apples.  Have two large bowls filled with lemon juice: one for your perfect pie apples and another for the less perfect juice apples.  Put on some music and make an afternoon of it. . . you’ll be cutting for awhile.

Related: How to Organize an Apple Pie Making Day

IMG_2810 2

Timing is Everything

My juicer requires apples to be juiced for 90 minutes.  I found that I could collect already at 45 minutes, and again at 90.  I wouldn’t leave all of it for 90 minutes, because your juice will likely run over into your boiling water.  Make sure you check and replenish the water with boiling water every 30 minutes.

IMG_2811

Truth time.  I steamed three sets of apples, getting just under 12 jars.  It took me around 7 hours, not including picking time.  I highly suggest setting aside a full day to make juice if you’re going to give it a try.

The extra effort is definitely worth it!  I’m looking forward to enjoying the literal fruits of my labour this winter.

IMG_2817

 

Homemade Crab Apple Juice

4 hours
4 jars
Ingredients:
3 gallons crab apples,
1 cup sugar (optional)

Cut crab apples according to your steamer juicers directions. Usually in half with stems is fine. Steam the apples for 90 minutes, collecting juice at both the 45 and 90 minute mark. If adding sugar, boil juice until the sugar dissolves. Pour into a sterilized canning jar, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Loosely screw on lid boil the jar for 10 minutes (15 high altitudes). The jars should have at least 1 inch of water overtop of them. Remove from canning bath and let cool. If any jars do not seal, put them in the fridge and use within 3 weeks.

Have you given juicing a try?  Let us know your tips and trick in the comments!  Or, if you’re new at it like me, post a pic of your efforts.

 

 

SaveSave

DO YOU JUST WANT THE RECIPE WITHOUT HAVING TO SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM?

Get over 25 of them– using Saskatoon berries, sour cherries, raspberries, rhubarb and more.  For a limited time its only $7–60% off the regular price!

FIND OUT MORE OR BUY NOW!

Kristen Raney

Kristen is a former farm kid turned urban gardener who owns the popular gardening website, Shifting Roots.  She is obsessed with growing flowers and pushing the limits of what can be grown in her zone 3b garden.  She also loves to grow tomatoes, but oddly enough, dislikes eating them raw.

7 Comments
Filed Under: Fruit Season, Gardening, Harvest, Outdoor Life, Tutorials Tagged: Apple season, Canning, Crab Apples, How-to, Juice, Juicing, picking, Preserving

About Kristen Raney

Kristen is a former farm kid turned urban gardener who owns the popular gardening website, Shifting Roots.  She is obsessed with growing flowers and pushing the limits of what can be grown in her zone 3b garden.  She also loves to grow tomatoes, but oddly enough, dislikes eating them raw.

Comments

  1. Cheryl says

    August 5, 2016 at 2:18 pm

    Yummy! I have one of those juicers too, bought it at the same place and time as your mother in law!
    Reply
  2. Cristy says

    August 6, 2018 at 8:56 am

    None of your photos are accurate for crab apples. Crab apples are tiny compared to apples in your photo's. I'd be more inclined to use recipe if you were more accurate.
    Reply
    • Kristen Raney says

      August 7, 2018 at 10:44 am

      Hi Cristy, The apples in the photos are from an actual crab apple tree (except for the ones in the new pin, I needed to re-do it out of season). I'm not sure where you're from, but where I live in Saskatchewan, breeders have developed larger versions of crab apples that are better for juicing, pie making, etc that don't look like the old-fashioned small crab apples that you're maybe used to. I also find that some years are better than others for crab apples, and that in those years the crab apples are larger in size. I'm sorry you felt my post was misleading. It is impossible as a garden blogger to account for everyone's expectations of plants in every zone. All the best!
      Reply
      • Lindy Smith says

        September 17, 2019 at 8:25 pm

        My crabapples are the same size in your picture and I live in Montana!!
        Reply
    • Ariel P says

      March 2, 2020 at 3:48 pm

      Just came across your blog, do you do anything with the remaining steamed apples once all the juice is collected? Thanks!
      Reply
      • Kristen Raney says

        March 5, 2020 at 9:24 am

        I don't, I throw them in the compost. However, I bet you could dehydrate them and make fruit leather out of them.
        Reply
  3. Lynnette Siegl says

    September 22, 2020 at 1:46 pm

    Why add cream of tarter to you crab apples?
    Reply

Leave a Reply to Kristen Raney Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Grow roots with us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Welcome!

Hi, I'm Kristen and I help new gardeners learn to grow their own vegetables and beautify their yards. I also share recipes that use all that delicious garden produce. Grab a coffee (and your gardening gloves) and join me for gardening tips, simple recipes, and the occasional DIY, all from the lovely city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

P.S. First time gardener? You'll want to download the quick start gardening guide below!

Recent Posts

  • 5 Easy Ways to Increase Pollination in Your Vegetable Garden
  • Bloom Times: What Cut Flowers Grow When in Zone 3
  • The Best Vegetables & Flowers to Start with Winter Sowing
  • 21 Cut Flowers to Grow in Part Shade
  • The Best Grow Lights for Seedlings (from Budget to Bougie)

Welcome!

Hi, I’m Kristen and I help new gardeners learn to grow their own vegetables and beautify their yards. I also share recipes that use all that delicious garden produce. Grab a coffee (and your gardening gloves) and join me for gardening tips, simple recipes, and the occasional DIY, all from the lovely city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Connect with Shifting Roots On. . .

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Find What You’re Looking For. . .

Privacy Policy

I love seeing the world through this loving boy’ I love seeing the world through this loving boy’s eyes.  Honestly, I’ve been so sick that I wasn’t really in the mood to “do Valentines Day” but there was this sweet little voice going on about how excited he was for today and how much he loves his family and I just couldn’t resist.  So whether you’re on your own, part of a couple, or in the thick of life-with-littles craziness, Happy Valentines Day!

#valentinesday2020 #mylittlevalentine #boymomlife #lifewithlittles
How do you pass a cold -28 day? By planning your How do you pass a cold -28 day?  By planning your garden, of course!  Today in my stories I’ll be going through the steps I take to start planning everything out.  I’m curious, do you start planning now or wait until the last minute?

P.S.  want your own copy of this planner?  This is the newly updated paid version and it’s on sale by itself from now until Sunday for only $5.  If you’re from Canada, use the code CANADA to make $5 USD be closer to $5 CAD.  Head over to the link in my bio to get yours.

#gardenplanning #gardenplanner #gardenersofinstagram #gardenersofig #organizedlife #organizedliving #wintergardening
Curious about growing lettuce indoors? My experim Curious about growing lettuce indoors?  My experiment is a success so far, although it’s still going to be awhile before I’m eating another salad off of them.

Okay, so maybe a little rant today.  I think sometimes in the gardening space we’re guilty of making things seem easier than they are.  Myself included.  This lettuce project is a case in point.

Was it easy?  Yes.  But will it provide me with endless salads all winter long? Nope.  Or at least not at this scale.  I’m going to estimate that I’d need at least 15 plants this size, especially since it’s winter and everything just grows slower.  And I’m the only person in my family who really eats salad.

In conclusion, this is a fun project to pass the winter, and not a truly sustainable source of lettuce.

Thoughts?

#growinglettuce #eatwhatyougrow #growwhatyoueat #wintergardening #indoorgardening #plantproject #sustainablefood #gardenersofinstagram #gardenerslife #northerngardening
Part of the mystery of seed starting is knowing ex Part of the mystery of seed starting is knowing exactly what to start when.  Every two weeks, I'll be posting these handy guides so you have enough time to order your seeds and be ready to plant when it's time for your area.  To find out when these veggies, herbs, and flowers need to be started where you live. . . ⁠
⁠
1. Search out your area's last frost date.  There are plenty of calculators on the Internet.⁠
⁠
2. Count backwards 8 weeks from that date.⁠
⁠
3. Start these seeds when that date hits.⁠
⁠
If you follow me because we're in similar zones--don't panic, it's not time yet!! I won't be starting my 10 week seeds for another two weeks, and even that is slightly on the early side. (I'm starting everything a bit early so I can hopefully plant it out before baby gets here--I won't be physically able to do it after.) I like posting the info early for followers in warmer zones and so you can save it and still have time to order/buy seeds & supplies.⁠
⁠
Which one of these are you most excited to start?⁠
⁠
#seedstarting #seedlings #homegardener #northerngardener #homesteading #urbandhomesteading #homesteadingskills #gardenlife #gardenlifestyle #startingseeds
Eeeek!!! My luffa seedlings are up!! I’m growing Eeeek!!! My luffa seedlings are up!! I’m growing the whole seed packet in hopes that a few of these little luffa babies will provide me with zero waste sponges that I can use for home cleaning, and as an exfoliant in home made beauty products.

The catch?

These plants are notoriously hard to grow, especially when you live somewhere cold with a really cold growing season—and if they get a hint of frost on them they turn to mush and all my hard work is ruined.

Gulp.

But gardeners are born optimists, so I’m giving it a shot—because you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.

P.S. if you’re trying luffa in zone 3 like me, just basically ignore all the directions on the seed packet.  Start them immediately (two weeks ago would have been ideal) and follow along because I’ll show you exactly what to do and when.  I’ll be popping these under a grow light once the sun goes down.

#luffagourd #luffa #loofah #seedlings #seedstarting #northerngardening #northerngardener #gardenersofinstagram #gardenersofig #mygardenthismonth #gardenlife #canadiangardening
This weekend I took a big leap of faith. I came t This weekend I took a big leap of faith.  I came to New York to meet with other content creators/business owners to dig deep into what we do and create a strategy around our messaging.  I don’t even know how to properly describe what all went down, but is was incredibly life changing and I really feel connected to this tribe of women who are committed to playing to win and being the people our businesses need us to be.  I’m so excited to share what I’ve planned for my business with you in the coming months.

#playtowin #gardenblogger #businessowner #wahmlife
Is there such a thing as a no-fail houseplant? I Is there such a thing as a no-fail houseplant?  I think the Sansevera or Snake Plant or Mother-in-law’s tongue comes close.  Sure, it might be the vanilla of the plant-loving world, but it is so good for so many situations!⁠
⁠
It can handle you forgetting to water it, low light, or bright light.  It is somewhat forgiving if you are an over-waterer. ⁠
⁠
I’ve had this one for 2 or 3 years now and I keep getting rewarded with more spikes.⁠
⁠
Plant lovers, is there another houseplant you think would be perfect for beginners?⁠
⁠
#crazyplantlady #houseplantsofig #houseplantsofinstagram #snakeplant #houseplantlove
Load More… Follow on Instagram

Theme Design By Studio Mommy · Copyright © 2021

Copyright © 2021 · Beyond Madison Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in