Does cider contain yeast?
Cider is made with yeast, which turns apple sugar into alcohol, but how much yeast is left in the bottle depends on how it was finished. Filtered or pasteurised ciders contain little or no live yeast, while unfiltered and bottle-conditioned ciders can contain yeast and sediment. Check the label for "unfiltered" or "bottle-conditioned".
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Key facts
- Fermentation needs yeast. Yeast may be natural or cultured. [1] PNW 621 notes that most cider makers use cultured yeasts. [2]
- Yeast is a processing aid. HMRC lists "yeast and yeast culture" among permitted processing aids for cider and notes: "In some ciders, yeasts and bacteria may be present in considerable numbers." [3]
- Finishing decides what is left. Most ciders are filtered to make them clear and prevent sediment, and some are pasteurised in the bottle. [2]
Which ciders contain live yeast?
- Bottle-conditioned ciders. A second fermentation happens in the bottle, so yeast is still there; see the glossary entry for bottle-conditioned. The AOP Cidre Pays d'Auge, for example, is made sparkling by fermentation in the bottle. [4]
- Unfiltered and cloudy ciders. They can contain yeast in suspension; the glossary entry for turbidity explains cloudiness.
- Filtered and pasteurised ciders. Filtering and pasteurising remove or inactivate yeast. [2]
How is yeast removed?
After fermentation, cider is racked off the lees and matured until it clears; then it may be filtered. [2] Home makers have the same options, explained in how to clear cloudy cider. The guide on how cider is made gives the overview, and what yeast to use for cider covers the choice of yeast.
Can I tell from the label?
Not always. Processing aids are not listed as ingredients under EU rules, and drinks over 1.2% alcohol do not need an ingredient list. [5] [6] [7] Words such as "unfiltered", "bottle-conditioned" or "sur lie" suggest yeast in the bottle. If you need to avoid yeast, ask the maker.
Related answers: what yeast to use for cider · how to clear cloudy cider
Find it on Cider Radar
- Rate ciders in Cider Radar from 1 to 5 and on sweetness, body, tannin, turbidity and funk; the turbidity scale records how cloudy a cider is.
- Guide: what is cider? · Glossary: lees
- Open the map: app.ciderradar.com · iPhone · Android
Cider, perry, calvados and pommeau are alcoholic drinks. Enjoy responsibly and follow the legal drinking age where you live.
Questions
What is the sediment at the bottom of my cider?
Usually yeast and other solids, called lees. In bottle-conditioned cider it comes from the second fermentation in the bottle. See the glossary entries for lees and bottle-conditioned.
Is yeast listed on cider labels?
Does all cider use added yeast?
No. BJCP says cider yeast "may be either natural (occurring on the fruit itself or present in the milling and pressing equipment) or cultured". [1]
Sources
- 2025 BJCP Cider Style Guidelines (Introduction) — Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP)
- Hard Cider Production & Orchard Management in the Pacific Northwest (PNW 621) — Washington State University, Oregon State University and University of Idaho Extension
- Permitted ingredients for cider duty — HM Revenue & Customs (GOV.UK)
- Cahier des charges de l'appellation d'origine « Pays d'Auge » (cidre): non pasteurisé, prise de mousse en bouteille — IDAC (Interprofession des appellations cidricoles), copy of the INAO specification
- Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Article 20: Omission of constituents of food from the list of ingredients — legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives)
- Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Article 16: Omission of certain mandatory particulars — legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives)
- Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers (official EU text) — EUR-Lex (Publications Office of the European Union)