Apple Juice Oxidation

General Homebrew Discussion
1

I have been making basic hard cider lately. I buy 1 gallon of apple juice, ferment all but about one pint and then back-sweeten with the held back pint.

For the last two batches, which I haven’t drank yet, the held back pint sat in the original container in the fridge for a few weeks during fermentation. Will the held back apple juice oxidize while waiting in my fridge (2-3 weeks)? It is about 16 oz. in a 64 oz. bottle. Do I need to worry about oxidation for cider?

2

The short answer is yes, but it is a matter of degree.  I have set out juice at room temp side by side with fermented cider in clear containers and noticed a darkening within a few weeks.  With ciders, even the best attempts at blanketing with CO2 only marginally helps.  Now I do oxygen free transfers whenever possible to get the longest freshness periods that I can.