Best apple cider apples

The 9 Best Apple Cider Vinegar Supplements to Add to Your Wellness Routine

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Apple cider vinegar (ACV) supplements have become increasingly popular. However, the science behind their purported health benefits is still very young. “Unfortunately, as we concluded in our apple cider vinegar review, there is no good clinical research supporting the use of pills containing apple cider vinegar,” says Tod Cooperman, MD, president of ConsumerLab, a publisher of test results on health and nutrition products. “Our tests found that these pills generally provide a much smaller amount of acetic acid—the likely active compound in ACV—per serving than a serving of bottled ACV.”

If you do decide to try an apple cider vinegar supplement, just make sure you check with your physician before adding one to your routine. “They may interact with medications,” says Lisa Young, PhD, RDN. “For example, because ACV has natural diuretic properties, you should avoid apple cider vinegar supplements if you already take a diuretic. Also, ACV may cause nausea in people who have sensitive stomachs as well as throat irritation.” Lastly, ACV supplements may cause low potassium levels if you take too much, adds Brittany Lubeck, MS, RD.

Meet the Expert

• Tod Cooperman, MD, president of ConsumerLab.
• Lisa Young, PhD, RDN, author of Finally Full, Finally Slim.
• Brittany Lubeck, MS, RD, a nutritional consultant at Oh So Spotless.
• Andrea Grange is a registered dietitian nutritionist and an IdealFit partner. She’s a certified specialist in sports dietetics as well as a certified nutrition support clinician.
• Grace Clark-Hibbs, MDA, RDN, a registered dietitian in Portland, OR, and owner of Nutrition with Grace.

What to Look For in Apple Cider Vinegar Supplements

A high concentration of ACV

Grange says that gummies can sometimes have fewer nutrients than supplements in pill form. With that in mind, she says to read a product’s label thoroughly to make sure it contains a high enough level of ACV for you to reap all the benefits. How many milligrams does this entail? “Because there isn’t much research on ACV, there are no official recommendations, but I would say look for products that contain at least 200mg,” she says.

No added sugars

While we all want our gummies to be delicious, Grange recommends ACV supplements that don’t contain any added sugars. “Sometimes vitamin companies will add in extra sugar to make a supplement taste better,” she says. “While it’s nice to have a good-tasting supplement, the added sugar isn’t worth it.” Have a sweet tooth? Look for products that have very low amounts of added sugars or use sugar alternatives that won’t have much of an effect on your blood sugar, like erythritol.

GMP-certified

Dietary supplements aren’t regulated by the FDA, so Grange recommends supplements that have been tested by a third-party company. A good place to start? Look for products that are GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices)-certified to ensure they’re produced with safe practices and standards.

Ready to introduce the best ACV supplements, from capsules to gummies, into your wellness routine? We compiled this list, all recommended by nutrition experts.

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Best Cider Apples

Fall would not be complete without a delicious glass of homemade apple cider. Apple cider tastes just like the apples it was made from. That means making your own apple cider is a great way to make a drink that tastes just how you like it.

From heady and tart cider apples to incredibly sweet dessert varieties, there’s a cider apple for everyone. With so many varieties of apples, it can be difficult to know where to start. Don’t worry, because here you’ll learn all the best apples for cider.

Three Elements of Cider Apples

There are over 300 varieties of apples for cider, from tart cider apples like Granny Smith to sweet cider apples like the Honeycrisp. No wonder it can be so intimidating to choose an apple for cider! It doesn’t need to be overly complicated. Three main factors influence the taste of apple cider: sugar, acid, and tannins.

If you’re making hard cider, the amount of sugar in the apple is very important. Clearly, a sweeter apple will yield sweeter apple cider. Brix is the term used to describe how much sugar is in an apple. It’s the percentage of the juice that is sugar. The yeast in hard cider feeds on sugar to create alcohol, so an apple with a higher brix will make stronger hard cider. An apple of 11-15 Brix is usually preferred for making hard cider.

The more acid in a cider apple the tarter, or “sharper” the apple will taste. This acid also slows down the process of oxidation that turns juice brown. If you want natural cider that stays light in color, consider high-acid apples. An apple with high sugar and high acid content will have a more balanced tart flavor. These apples are perfect for hard cider or a tart, refreshing iced cider.

Tannins are compounds found in the skin and flesh of an apple. These tannins give your cider a bitter flavor and drying sensation in your mouth. Finding an apple with the right balance of tannins is key to great apple cider. An apple too high in tannins will make cider that is difficult to drink. However, some tannins add that classic slightly bitter flavor that’s beloved in hard cider.

As you can see, the three factors paired with each other leave plenty of room for experimentation. Ciders come in several general categories based on acidity and tannins: bittersweets, sweets, bittersharps, and sharps/sharps–sweets.

Best Cider Apple Varieties for Bittersweet Cider

Bittersweets are low in acid and high in tannins and sugar. Bittersweet cider apples are not as tart as other cider apples and are dry-tasting. These are some of the best apples for bittersweet apple cider.

Dabinett Apple: An excellent bittersweet cider apple is the Dabinett. This apple is known for being very easy to grow and producing high-quality juice that is perfect for hard cider. Not only that, but the Dabinett has also been found to contain tannins identical to those found in wine grapes. Dabinett apple trees are very resistant to apple scabs and cankers.

Yarlington Mill: Another classic bittersweet apple is the Yarlington Mill. Few varieties are as well-rounded in flavor as the Yarlington Mill. This variety is one of the few cider apples that can make a good hard cider by itself rather than needing to be mixed with other varieties. Yarlington Mill apple cider makes a smooth and easy-to-drink bittersweet cider.

Best Cider Apples for Sweet Cider

As implied by the name, sweet cider apples are high in sugar, low in acid, and low in tannins. Many of these varieties are already common in your kitchen. Sweet ciders produce a very dessert-like drink that is perfect for hot, spiced cider or mixing into an apple cider cocktail.

Gala: The Gala apple defeated the Red Delicious in 2018 for being the most popular apple. Crisp and mildly sweet, the Gala is perfect for making sweet, mellow cider. Its mild flavor makes it perfect for combining with more strongly-flavored apples like Granny Smith and Arkansas Black.

Honeycrisp: Another favorite of sweet cider apples is the Honeycrisp. As you might guess, its crisp, perfectly-tart flesh makes delicious sweet cider. First produced by the University of Minnesota, it was named Minnesota’s state fruit in 2006. You may want to try out making this spiced Honeycrisp cider drink mixed with rum.

Roxbury Russet: You may not have heard of the Roxbury Russet, but this variety is one of the best cider apples for old-fashioned sweet cider. It is generally recognized as the oldest variety of apple first bred by North Americans. It has that classic sweet-tart appley flavor that you’ll love in spiced hot cider. Another plus for Roxbury Russets is that they are resistant to diseases like apple scabs, fire blight, and cedar apple rust.

Other good apples for sweet cider include Golden Delicious, Fuji, and Jonagold.

Best Cider Apples for Bittersharp Cider

Bitter-sharp cider apples are high in both acid and tannins. Bittersharp cider apple varieties can make delicious hard cider if they are high enough in sugar. It’s important to choose an apple that is aromatic and well-rounded in flavor so that the bitter and acidic flavors do not overpower the cider.

Kingston Black: One very good apple for cider with balanced bittersharp flavor is the Kingston Black. Originally an English variety, this heirloom apple makes one of the best single-variety ciders. While it can be difficult to grow, the Kingston Black makes an aromatic cider that is hard to match.

Porter’s Perfection: If you’re looking for a cider apple variety that is the perfect balance of bitter and tart, then Porter’s Perfection should be high on your list. Porter’s Perfection often produces twins and triples, meaning that two or three apples may fuse together as they grow. While it is high in acid and tannins, the Porter’s Perfection has a balanced apple flavor that will add complexity to cider.

Other good bitter-sharp cider apples include Foxwhelp and Virginia (Hewe’s) Crab.

Best Cider Apples for Sharp/Sharp-Sweet Cider

Want cider apples that are pretty tart but also has a low tannin level? Sharp cider apple varieties are just the thing. These apple varieties produce acidic cider without the dry sensations caused by tannins.

Granny Smith: An instant hit for a sharp/sharp-sweet cider is the Granny Smith. Known for its tart flesh and lime green skin, the Granny Smith apple makes perfect tart cider. Granny Smith apples were first grown in Australia, where they were discovered by Maria Ann “Granny” Smith. It has excellent shelf life and stores well. Granny Smiths are also good for eating fresh and for cooking/baking in pies and cakes.

McIntosh: The McIntosh apple is a hardy, reliable apple popular in the US and Canada. Its refreshingly acidic juice makes excellent cider. However, the apple is also sweet with a classic apple juice flavor. McIntosh is the perfect cider apple for a beverage that will be a hit with both children and adults. It’s complexity of flavor is perfect for mixing into a cider cocktail, and the flavor is just like apple juice.

Newtown Pippin: The Newtown Pippin is versatile, good for eating fresh, cooking, and juicing. This apple variety is also very good for cider, especially hard cider. It is picked very late in the season (around late October), and it keeps very well over the winter.

Other good sharp/sharp-sweet cider apple varieties include Cortland, Orange Pippin, and Thomas Jefferson’s favorite, Esopus Spitzenburg.

What Apples Should You Use for Hard Cider?

It is difficult to rank a hard cider apple variety since hard cider is generally a blend of different varieties. However, hard cider apples always have a moderate to high sugar content (Brix) and tend to have balanced tart and bitter flavor. Of the apples mentioned above, here are some of the varieties that make good hard cider:

• Roxbury Russet makes a sweet and strong hard cider.
• Newtown Pippin is a good hard cider apple for refreshing tart and sweet hard cider.
• Kingston Black is great for classic bitter-sharp cider and doesn’t have to mix with another variety.
• Porter’s Perfection is acidic and tannic but is sweet enough for a refreshing hard cider.
• Winesap is a sweet and tangy variety that makes a nuanced and versatile hard cider.

How to Use Apple Cider

The main difference between apple cider and apple juice is that cider is raw apple juice that hasn’t been filtered or pasteurized. That means that while cider is a more natural choice, it’s also important to use it quickly or freeze it.

• Add some cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice to make spiced apple cider.
• Apple cider cocktails are a hit at a fall dinner party. Add some bourbon, rum, and spices of choice for a twist on the classic.
• Bake apples in cider and add your own choice of nuts and spices for the perfect apple dessert.
• Check out this apple cider smoothie. With creamy yogurt and maple syrup for sweetness, you’ll fall in love with this creative cider recipe.
• Apple cider waffles, anyone? You’ll never eat a waffle the same way after trying this cidery twist to your favorite breakfast. You can do a similar thing with apple cider pancakes.
• Freeze cider in these juice pouches for a grab-and-go beverage.

Cider is a must-have in any home. The wide range of tastes and smells make endless options for discovery. Next time you want a refreshing glass of cider, check out the cider apple varieties mentioned above to make your new favorite beverage.

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The 8 Best Apple Cider Vinegars of 2021

You’ll never miss your daily ACV shot again

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

Apple cider vinegar, which is made from fresh apples that have been crushed and then fermented, is nature’s probiotic. But not all apple cider vinegars are created equally. Some are highly processed, while others are in their natural form. To help you differentiate the good from the not-so-good, we compiled a list of the best apple cider vinegars you can buy, based on taste, quality, and ingredients.

Best Overall: Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

You really can’t bring up apple cider vinegar without also mentioning Bragg, one of the first manufacturers to bottle ACV up and sell it. Bragg opened its doors in 1912 and since its inception, has used only the highest-quality, organically grown apples to make raw, unfiltered vinegar.

The finished product is completely unprocessed so that it still contains the «mother”—the cloudy substance within ACV.

Best Organic: Thrive Market Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

For the past few years, Thrive Market has been expanding its own product line, offering high-quality items at great-for-your-wallet prices. Thrive’s organic apple cider vinegar is one of those items, and as far as taste, quality, and ingredients go, it’s right on par with Bragg’s version. It’s made from only two ingredients—organic apple cider vinegar and water—and has the «mother,» nice and intact.

It’s a little less expensive than others, so it’s a great budget option as well and will help you save some money, especially if you purchase ACV regularly.

Best for Drinking: Wedderspoon Apple Cider Vinegar With Monofloral Manuka Honey

If you have a hard time drinking ACV straight up, the Wedderspoon Apple Cider Vinegar has just enough manuka honey to take the edge off. Each tablespoon has 2 grams of added sugar, bringing the total carbs up to 3 grams per tablespoon (regular ACV doesn’t have any).

Best for Cooking: Dynamic Health Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

Like the other plain apple cider vinegars on this list, the Dynamic Health Organic Apple Cider Vinegar has only two ingredients—raw organic apple cider vinegar and water—but, somehow, it doesn’t taste as tart as some of the others and it has lemony citrus notes that make it a great choice for cooking.

It’s best to use the vinegar with low-heat cooking or as a finishing touch on vegetables or salad.

Best Flavor: Vermont Village Blueberry Honey Apple Cider Vinegar

Once you try the Vermont Village Blueberry Honey Apple Cider Vinegar, you’ll never try to come up with excuses for not drinking your daily apple cider vinegar again. It’s the perfect balance of tart, tangy, and sweet to make drinking apple cider vinegar something you’ll look forward to.

Unlike other flavored vinegars, it has only three ingredients: raw organic apple cider vinegar (with the «mother»), organic honey, and organic blueberries.

If you’re not a fan of blueberry, or you just want to switch things up, Vermont Village also has cranberry, turmeric, and ginger sipping vinegars that are equally delicious.

Best Spicy Kick: Shire City Herbals Fire Cider Apple Cider Vinegar Wellness Tonic

Fire Cider isn’t just a name. Made with a combination of organic apple cider vinegar, habanero, horseradish, garlic, and ginger, this apple cider vinegar tonic from Shire City Herbals really brings the heat. The original formula was made by herbalist Rosemary Gladstar in the 1970s.

The original version has honey in it to cut some of the heat, but it also comes in a honey-free option.

Best Gummies: Zhou Nutrition Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies

If you want apple cider vinegar without the face-puckering taste, the Zhou Nutrition Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies are for you. They’re made from raw organic apple cider vinegar, so they still have the «mother,» combined with a small amount of sweeteners, like organic cane sugar, to mute the acidity and make them a little more taste bud-friendly.

Zhou also adds a natural harvest apple flavor that’s made from real fruit, unlike other gummies on the market.

Best Capsules: Paleovalley Apple Cider Vinegar Complex

If you prefer to reap the benefits of apple cider vinegar without any taste or flavor at all, the Paleovalley Apple Cider Vinegar Complex is your best bet. The main ingredient—organic raw apple cider vinegar—is dried, turned into a powder, and coupled with turmeric, ginger, Ceylon cinnamon, and lemon, in an easy-to-take capsule.

The capsules themselves are non-GMO, gluten-free, soy-free, grain-free, and dairy-free, and there are no artificial binders or fillers.

When it comes to apple cider vinegar, you can never go wrong with Bragg Original Apple Cider Vinegar. If you can’t bring yourself to drink it, you can try the Zhou Nutrition Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies or the Paleovalley Apple Cider Vinegar Complex capsules.

What to Look for When Buying Apple Cider Vinegar

Taste

ACV’s can have a strong smell and a sour, bitter yet tart taste that is not the most pleasant, while others have a lighter, albeit still bitter, taste. There are also ones that have added natural flavoring from fruits, herbs, or spices. Get one that fits your taste buds and preference.

Ingredients

To get ACV in the purest form, look on the label for information such as raw, unfiltered, unpasteurized, organic, and with the «mother.» Watch out for added preservatives and additives, such as artificial colorings or flavorings.

Apple cider vinegar comes as a liquid or in gummies or capsules. The liquid can be used for both drinking, cooking, and more, while the others are used as supplements.

How should apple cider vinegar be stored?

Unopened or opened bottles of ACV should be stored in the pantry or a cabinet. There is no need to refrigerate it.

What can be used instead of apple cider vinegar?

If you’re cooking or baking, and you reach for that bottle of ACV only to find it’s not there, there are a few substitutes that can be used. Lemon juice or lime juice can replace ACV in the same amount as called for in a recipe. Or you can use twice the amount of white wine to replace apple cider vinegar in a recipe.

Should you shake apple cider vinegar before using?

You most definitely should shake ACV, as you will notice that the «mother» has settled down toward the bottom of the bottle. Always shake it before use to mix all the goodies in.

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

Lindsay Boyers is a certified holistic nutritionist with extensive nutrition knowledge and food and beverage-testing experience. She’s developed over 1,000 original recipes and is constantly on a mission to find the healthiest, best-tasting options and ingredients across all food and drink categories.

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