Feb 11, 2021
Washington State University researchers are working to develop a nutrient formula for yeast that could make fermentation easier and more predictable for cider-makers.
“Cider apples don’t have as many nutrients for yeast, unlike grapes,” said Claire Warren, a microbiologist for WSU’s School of Food Science. “I want to make a nutrient base for yeast used with cider apples so fermentation can be more predictable batch to batch and year to year.”
The role of yeast in cider-making is what distinguishes hard cider from apple juice. To make hard cider, yeast converts the sugars from cider apples into alcohol. That’s fermentation.
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arlier this fall, TikTok and Instagram were abuzz with the discovery of hot cocoa bombs: hollow spheres of chocolate filled with cocoa mix, marshmallows and other goodies that melt into a delectable drink when hot milk is poured over them. While there are plenty of recipes online if you d like to try making your own, locals don t have to look too far. Sweet Frostings has added a boxed set of four hot cocoa bombs ($28) to its holiday treat inventory. Other seasonal treats (all can be ordered online for pickup or delivery at sweetfrostingsbakeshop.com) recently introduced include candy and cookie boxes, as well as seasonal flavors of its signature cupcakes.