{"schema":{"type":"ModernMazerRecipe","version":"1.0"},"canonicalUrl":"https://modernmazer.com/recipes/pineapple-chili-cider","jsonUrl":"https://modernmazer.com/recipes/pineapple-chili-cider.json","slug":"pineapple-chili-cider","name":"Pineapple and Chili Cider","summary":"A bold, tropical cider with fresh pineapple sweetness and a warming chili finish. Apple cider provides the fermentable base; pineapple juice and chili are added in secondary for a vibrant, complex flavor profile. Targets 6.5% ABV with a semi-dry finish. Derived from the Chapter 11 Cellars pineapple-and-chili cider flavor platform.","heroImage":null,"heroImageAlt":"A glass of golden pineapple chili cider with fresh pineapple and chili","author":"Modern Mazer","publishedDate":"2026-09-13","updatedDate":"2026-09-13","testingStatus":"development","evidenceStatus":"derived","difficulty":"intermediate","style":"Flavored Cider","tags":["cider","pineapple","chili","tropical","semi-dry","five-gallon","chapter-11-cellars"],"targetBatchVolume":5,"targetBatchVolumeUnit":"gallons","grossBatchVolume":5.5,"grossBatchVolumeUnit":"gallons","expectedProductionLoss":0.09,"targetABV":6.5,"originalGravity":1.05,"finalGravity":1.004,"sweetnessLevel":"semi-sweet","carbonationLevel":"sparkling","ingredients":[{"id":"apple-juice","name":"Fresh-pressed apple juice (no preservatives)","quantity":4,"unit":"gallons","notes":"Must be preservative-free. Pasteurized or fresh-pressed. Provides fermentable base.","optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"linear"},{"id":"pineapple-juice","name":"Pineapple juice (100%, no added sugar)","quantity":1,"unit":"gallons","notes":"Add in secondary for best tropical aroma. 100% juice, no preservatives.","optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"linear"},{"id":"chili","name":"Fresh jalapeño peppers, sliced","quantity":4,"unit":"each","notes":"Add in secondary. Remove seeds for less heat. Taste daily — chili heat extracts quickly.","optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"id":"fermaid-o","name":"Fermaid-O (organic yeast nutrient)","quantity":4,"unit":"g","notes":"Apple juice contains natural nutrients; supplement lightly.","optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"id":"campden","name":"Potassium metabisulfite (Campden tablet)","quantity":1,"unit":"packets","notes":"For juice sanitation if using fresh-pressed. Wait 24 hours before pitching yeast.","optional":true,"scalingBehavior":"fixed"}],"yeast":{"name":"Lalvin EC-1118","brand":"Lalvin","quantity":1,"unit":"packets","notes":"EC-1118 produces a clean, neutral profile that lets the pineapple and chili character shine. Suitable for cider fermentation."},"nutrientSchedule":[{"timing":"Day 0 (pitch)","nutrient":"Fermaid-O","quantity":2,"unit":"g","notes":"Apple juice provides natural YAN; supplement lightly.","scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"timing":"48 hours after pitch","nutrient":"Fermaid-O","quantity":2,"unit":"g","notes":null,"scalingBehavior":"manual"}],"equipment":["6-gallon fermentation vessel","Airlock and stopper","Hydrometer and test cylinder","Straining bags for chili","Thermometer","Sanitizer (Star San or equivalent)","Auto-siphon and tubing","Carbonation equipment","Bottles rated for carbonation pressure"],"process":[{"step":1,"title":"Sanitize all equipment","description":"Prepare no-rinse sanitizer solution. Sanitize all vessels and tools.","note":null},{"step":2,"title":"Prepare apple juice base","description":"If using fresh-pressed juice, add Campden tablet and wait 24 hours before pitching. If using pasteurized juice, proceed directly.","note":null},{"step":3,"title":"Take original gravity reading","description":"Record OG of the apple juice base. Target approximately 1.050.","note":null},{"step":4,"title":"Pitch yeast","description":"Pitch EC-1118. Add first Fermaid-O addition. Ferment at 60–65°F.","note":"Cider ferments best at cooler temperatures for clean flavor."},{"step":5,"title":"Monitor primary fermentation","description":"Check gravity every few days. Primary fermentation typically completes in 2–4 weeks.","note":null},{"step":6,"title":"Add pineapple juice and chili in secondary","description":"Rack the cider off the lees. Add pineapple juice and sliced jalapeños in a straining bag. Taste daily — chili heat extracts quickly.","note":"Remove seeds for moderate heat. Leave seeds for more intense heat."},{"step":7,"title":"Remove chili and condition","description":"Remove chili when desired heat level is achieved (typically 1–3 days). Continue conditioning with pineapple for 1–2 weeks.","note":null},{"step":8,"title":"Carbonate and package","description":"Carbonate to approximately 2.5–3.0 volumes CO2. Package into pressure-rated bottles.","note":null}],"fermentationTemperature":"60–65°F (15–18°C)","fermentationTimeline":"2–4 weeks","conditioningTimeline":"4–8 weeks","packagingInstructions":"Ensure fermentation is fully complete before carbonating. Use vessels rated for carbonation pressure. Cider carbonates quickly — monitor pressure carefully.","safetyNotes":["Never seal a bottle of cider that has not fully finished fermenting — residual fermentation in a sealed bottle can cause dangerous pressure buildup and bottle explosions.","This recipe produces a carbonated beverage. Use only bottles or kegs rated for carbonation pressure.","Chili peppers can cause skin and eye irritation. Handle with care and wash hands after contact.","Sanitize all equipment that contacts the juice or finished cider.","Apple juice must be preservative-free — preservatives will inhibit or kill yeast."],"scalingNotes":"This recipe is written for a 5-gallon batch. Apple juice and pineapple juice scale linearly. Chili addition does NOT scale linearly — adjust to taste and heat preference. Nutrient additions do NOT scale linearly — recalculate for any target volume.","version":"1.0.0","changeHistory":[{"version":"1.0.0","date":"2026-09-13","summary":"Initial record derived from owner pineapple-chili cider platform. Phase 4B Batch 1.","changedBy":"Modern Mazer"}],"relatedRecipes":["honey-cider-cyser","traditional-mead-v1"],"relatedTutorials":[],"references":[{"title":"TOSNA 3.0 — Tailored Organic Staggered Nutrient Additions","url":"https://www.meadmakr.com/tosna-calculator/","author":null,"year":null,"notes":null}]}