sweet cider

Sweet cider is the expressed juice of fruit, most commonly apples, used as a beverage. In North America, it specifically refers to the freshly expressed juice that has not undergone significant fermentation. This contrasts with "hard cider," which has been allowed to ferment naturally.1

Apples are ground into a pulp and then pressed to extract the juice. For sweet cider, the juice is filtered early to retain its natural sugar content. Commercial processing often involves clarifying, filtering, and flash-pasteurizing the juice before sealing it in containers to prevent spoilage. Apples are a good source of carbohydrates and dietary fiber, and can be a source of vitamins A and C.12