Do you take the OG of cider the same way you do beer? I just got back from picking up my unfermented cider from the local orchard and one of the guys there insisted you have to take you cider reading with a grain of salt. He said all the excess fiber and pectin in the cider can keep you form getting an accurate gravity reading.
Apple juice is generally around 45 ppg. That can vary a bit depending on weather and variety of apple.
And I don’t think the guy knew what he was talking about. That shouldn’t affect it any more than trub affects a hydrometer reading.
Fiber and pectin and all that doesn’t affect the reading at all. I agree with Denny. I just juiced a few of my own apples yesterday and also bought juice from two different places. 1.2 gallons of each times 3 = 3.6 gallons total. Gravities were 1.042, 1.045, and 1.047, for an average of 1.045. This is very normal. When gravity hits about 1.010 then I will add gelatin, rack, and keep cold for unadulterated naturally sweet enjoyment.
Cheers.
The couple of times that I’ve brewed cider I’ve used mostly store bought juice and the O G has been 1.050 both times.