Taste Panel: Apple cider

Metro Detroit cider mills satisfy thirst for autumn's signature drink

Local mills satisfy thirst for autumn's signature drink

Judith Harris Solomon / Special to The Detroit News

Autumn would not really be official without at least one visit to a cider mill. Of course, it isn't just the fresh and delicious cider that attracts folks. It's the whole kit and caboodle -- the hot, greasy doughnuts, the just-picked apples, the apple jams, breads and butters. Yum!

"A good apple cider makes me feel as though I just ate an apple," says panelist Kim Moore. Guest panelist Lorna Parasiliti likes her cider "either real hot or real cold. And cold cider along with pumpkin or sugar doughnuts is ecstasy."

Jackie Fox recommends adding a half teaspoon of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice to each cup of hot cider, while Robert Levine advocates adding "a shot of good dark rum." And Christina Suchyta says if you let cider and mulling spices simmer all day in a crock pot, "it will make your house smell like the holidays."

Here's another good tip: According to Therissa Allen, "If you boil cider together with cinnamon sticks on top of your stove, it will take away the smell of fish frying."

We tasted fresh apple cider from six local cider mills, and the panel had good things to say about all of them. When the scores were tallied, it turned out that the one from the Franklin Cider Mill was the apple of the panel's eye.

Tasting results

In a blind tasting, The Detroit News Taste Panel rated the following apple ciders on taste and appearance on a scale of 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent).

1. Franklin Cider Mill Apple Cider (7450 Franklin Road, Franklin, 248-626-8261)

Average score: 4.8

Price: $5 per half gallon

Comments: Perfection! So good ... it's like fresh apples in a cup. I love this one. A great blend of apples and not too tart. It's just like drinking an apple. Thick, sweet and yummy. Fresh and tasty, and you can see the sediment.

2. Apple Charlie's Cider Mill Apple Cider (38035 S. Huron Road, New Boston, 734-753-9380)

Average score: 4.4

Price: $4.75 per half gallon

Comments: Excellent! Dark and lovely looking. Beautiful nectar-like appearance. Good apple taste. Tastes cider-mill fresh. Rich flavor with spice and attitude.

3. Hy's Cider Mill Apple Cider (Block's Stand & Greenhouse, 29160 Eureka Road, Romulus, 734-941-9388)

Average score: 4.3

Price: $2.99 per gallon

Comments: Mm, mm good! Wonderful! Glorious apple flavor. Deep burnished appearance. Delicious apple taste. Nice spicy flavor. Good flavor and not too sweet. A little watered down.

4. Blake's Orchard & Cider Mill Apple Cider (17985 Armada Center Road, Armada, 586-784-5343)

Average score: 4.1

Price: $3.95 per half gallon

Comments: Superb with a very fresh apple flavor. Dense and sweet tasting. Good color. Tastes orchard fresh. The apple flavor is not real strong ... to me it tastes more like a real good apple juice. Kids would like this flavor.

5. (TIE) Verellen Orchards Apple Cider (63260 Van Dyke Road, Romeo, 586-752-2989)

Average score: 3.9

Price: $3 per half gallon

Comments: Delicious! A really good cider. Fresh and crisp tasting. A bit pale in color compared to the others. Because it's a little vinegary, I think it would make a wonderful salad dressing.

5. (TIE) Westview Orchards Apple Cider (65075 Van Dyke Road, Washington Township, 586-752-3123)

Average score: 3.9

Price: $4 per half gallon

Comments: Nice and refreshing. Delicious! A great balance of apples to sugar. Glorious golden color. A medium apple flavor. Could use more flavor but it would be good in a mixed drink.

Judith Harris Solomon is a Metro Detroit freelance writer. If you would like to be a guest panelist, contact her at judyfreelance@aol.com.