Understanding Blake's Triple Jam Hard Cider
Blake's Triple Jam is a hard cider produced by Blake's Hard Cider Co., an Armada, Michigan-based, family-owned cidery. The name 'Triple Jam' refers to the triple berry blend used to create its signature flavor, not a traditional fruit preserve. The base is a traditional hard cider made from 100% Michigan apples, which is then infused with other ingredients to achieve the desired taste profile.
The Core Ingredients in Blake's Triple Jam
Based on product labels and information from retailers and the company itself, the core ingredients for Blake's Triple Jam Hard Cider are:
- 100% Apple Cider: The base of the hard cider is fresh-pressed apple cider sourced from the company's own farms.
- Blackberry Concentrate: A blend containing blackberry concentrate is used to provide the prominent blackberry flavor and aroma.
- Strawberry Concentrate: A blend containing strawberry concentrate contributes the sweet strawberry notes.
- Raspberry Concentrate: A blend with raspberry concentrate adds the tart and bold raspberry essence to the mix.
- Sugar: Michigan beet sugar is often listed, adding to the sweetness of the semi-sweet cider.
- Natural Flavorings: Additional natural flavorings are included to enhance and round out the overall fruit profile.
- Malic Acid: This is a naturally occurring fruit acid that is also added to enhance the tartness and balance the sweetness.
- Black Carrot Concentrate (for color): Some formulations list this ingredient to give the cider its characteristic reddish-pink hue.
- Sulfites: These are a common preservative used in many alcoholic beverages, and Blake's Triple Jam does contain sulfites.
The Role of Concentrates and Other Additives
The use of fruit concentrates and additional components is key to producing a consistent and flavorful hard cider. This commercial hard cider relies on these ingredients to deliver a predictable and balanced taste in every batch. The combination of fruit concentrates allows for a layered berry flavor that shines through the fermented apple base.
- Fruit Concentrates: These provide a burst of intense, natural fruit flavor and aroma. Using concentrates allows the cidery to achieve a specific flavor profile year-round, regardless of fresh berry seasonality.
- Sugar: While the apple cider base ferments, most of the natural sugar is converted to alcohol. Adding extra sugar is what makes Triple Jam a semi-sweet cider rather than a dry one.
- Malic Acid: By adding malic acid, the cidermakers can perfectly fine-tune the tartness of the cider, ensuring it is not cloyingly sweet and maintains a crisp finish.
A Comparative Look at Ingredients
To better understand what makes Blake's Triple Jam unique, here is a comparison with a homemade triple berry jam and another popular berry hard cider, Angry Orchard Rosé.
| Ingredient | Blake's Triple Jam Hard Cider | Homemade Triple Berry Jam | Angry Orchard Rosé Cider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base | 100% Apple Cider | Crushed berries and sugar | Apple juice |
| Flavor | Blackberry, Raspberry, Strawberry Concentrates | Fresh fruit: Strawberries, Raspberries, Blueberries | Apple, hints of citrus and hibiscus |
| Sweetener | Michigan Beet Sugar / Other Sugars | Cane Sugar | Cane Sugar |
| Acidity | Malic Acid, Natural Acidity | Lemon Juice, Citric Acid | Malic Acid, other flavorings |
| Fermentation | Alcoholic fermentation with yeast | Not applicable (no fermentation) | Alcoholic fermentation with yeast |
| Coloring | Black Carrot Concentrate, natural | Natural from the fruits | Apple, hibiscus, and other natural color |
| Preservatives | Contains Sulfites | Preserved via heat sealing and sugar | Sulfites |
Frequently Asked Questions About Blake's Triple Jam
Is Blake's Triple Jam a vegan product? Yes, according to information on the company's website and various retailers, Blake's Triple Jam is generally considered a vegan-friendly product as it contains no animal-derived ingredients.
What is the alcohol content (ABV) of Triple Jam? Blake's Triple Jam has an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 6.5%.
Is Blake's Triple Jam gluten-free? Yes, as it is made from fermented apples and fruit concentrates, with no wheat, barley, or other gluten-containing grains, it is a gluten-free beverage.
How does the flavor profile of Triple Jam compare to other ciders? Triple Jam is known for its bold, sweet, and berry-forward taste, often described as having jam-like qualities. It is more fruit-centric than many traditional, apple-focused hard ciders and is classified as semi-sweet.
Where does Blake's Hard Cider get its fruit? Blake's Hard Cider Co. was founded on a 3rd-generation farmstead in Armada, Michigan, and prides itself on using fruit grown on its own farm. In recent years, they have expanded their operations to New York to use locally sourced apples there as well.
Why is malic acid added to the cider? Malic acid is added to enhance the tartness and provide a crisp finish, balancing the sweetness from the added sugars and fruit concentrates. This prevents the cider from being overly sweet and makes it more refreshing.
Does Blake's make a non-alcoholic version of Triple Jam? No, Blake's Hard Cider Co. does not produce a non-alcoholic version of Triple Jam; the product is specifically a hard cider with a 6.5% ABV.
Conclusion: The Berry-Packed Cidermaker's Secret
The ingredients in Blake's Triple Jam hard cider create a sweet, balanced, and flavorful beverage quite distinct from a kitchen-made jam. The foundation of 100% apple cider from Michigan is skillfully combined with concentrated flavors of strawberry, blackberry, and raspberry. Additional elements like sugar for sweetness and malic acid for tartness are crucial for achieving the consistent, semi-sweet profile that defines this product.
For more information on the product, you can visit the official Blake's Hard Cider website [https://blakeshardcider.com/products/core/triplejam/].
