pomme homme
Regular.
Frequently I have problems with malic acid in my cider. Maybe the variety of apple that I use to make it has a high malic acid content? I've tried, but failed, to master the art of malolactic fermentation. So I've attempted to think laterally. I've read that maturing cider in oak barrels helps to ameliorate the problem of lactic acid. In my attic several old wooden barrels are stored (they were there when I bought the property) which, because they haven't been used for ages (well, at least fifteen years), are dry as a bone. But other than that, they appear to be sound - in terms of the wooden staves, the iron hoops and wooden heads. It's been suggested to me that what I need to do is to rehydrate the wood, so that it swells and the barrels regain their structural integrity and 'tightness', in order that that the barrels become watertight and do not leak when filled with cider. My problem is - how do I do that? The barrels are not small. I don't know their capacity but, approximately, their height is 90 cm, their mid diameter is 60 cm and their end diameter is 54 cm. If I try to fill them with water, it's certain to run out, between the dehydrated, shrunken staves, before it can be taken up by and rehydrate the wood. I live next to a river and so I've thought about filling the barrels with water and then immersing them in that (as well as, of course, securing them to the bank so that they don't float off downstream!). But from the point of view of hygiene, that approach leaves something to be desired. Has anyone else had the same problem when trying to press dehydrated wooden barrels back into service? If so, how did they overcome this - if they did! Alternatively, has anyone thought up a 'cunning plan' to apply in these circumstances? Constructive suggestions will be much appreciated.
p.s. I've just found a formula for calculating barrel volume and it seems that the volume of my barrels is about 240 litres each.
p.s. I've just found a formula for calculating barrel volume and it seems that the volume of my barrels is about 240 litres each.