Wash and sort fresh apples
Remove any bruised or rotten fruit
Chop the apples into small pieces
Crush or press the apples to extract juice
Pour the juice into a clean fermentation vessel
Add yeast if desired
Cover the vessel with an airlock or loose lid
Let the juice ferment in a cool, dark place
Wait until fermentation slows or stops
Strain the cider if needed
Bottle the cider
Chill before serving