The particle size in a 'cloudy' cider is in the range around 25 to 75 microns. It is not possible for the human eye to see individual particles of less than 35 microns. Sheet filtration: has a range from 0.2 to 20 microns, so is too fine to produce a cloudy cider. A Pipe screen filter:
can have stainless steel screens of 0.1 mm (100 microns), 0.25 mm (250 microns), 1.0 (1000 microns) and 1.5 mm (1500 microns). A Cross-flow filter: filters to 0.2 microns, so is much too fine to produce a cloudy cider. Centrifuge: the best way to achieve a natural cloudy juice or cider, which remains almost stable in the bottle, is with a centrifugal separator (a new
machine costs about 45,000 Euros). You can regulate the level of filtration, down to 25 microns is possible. Diatomaceous Earth filter:
the traditional alternative is to use a DE filter with Kieselguhr, but it's not easy to keep the consistency,
and there is no positive effect to keep the cloudiness stable when in the bottle.
Winegrowers Supplies
- Filtration - to produce 'cloudy' juice or cider