Is there a difference between apple juice and apple cider?

I though it was that Cider is alcoholic, or at least bubbly, I think it might also be tangier, but Google seems to think that its all marketing.

Hard cider is alcoholic, and bubbly. But there are lots of products labeled apple cider that is neither hard nor bubble. I’ve wondered the answer to this question often.

For a while, I thought cider was spiced and juice was not. But I don’t think that’s it. My current guess is that juice is golden-translucent and cider is murky-opaque (so it’s a difference of purity and refinement). Does that ring true for folks?

I believe the difference is that cider is spiced, and juice isn’t. That’s the only difference I can see or think of.

Apple cider is pressed in a special “Cider Press” with the skin on giving it its darker color, cloudy appearance and sweet and sour flavor. It is sometimes spiced with cinnamon and other flavors like nutmeg and cloves, Its especially popular around the thanksgiving and christmas season, but around here in the northeast we drink it year round

Apple cider is also made into a hot drink as well sort of like a tea. This is also spiced, I know because my dad drinks it during the winter and when he has colds.. :-)

Apple Cider has more of the fruit in it, so I think it tastes more like apples and I guess it’s more nutritious, too. It is usually pasteurized and refrigerated. It is popular to add spices to cider, but the gallon jugs you see at the store are just pure juice, unless otherwise labelled.

Sparkling Cider is more like bubbly apple juice sold as an alcohol-free champagne substitute.

Hard Cider is an alcoholic beverage… I’ve never had it, but I doubt that the mass-produced stuff has much apples in it.

Apple Juice is more processed and filtered, so it is transparent and doesn’t require refrigeration prior to opening the bottle.

“If it’s clear and yella, you’ve got juice there, fella; if it’s tangy and brown, you’re in cider town!” -Flanders

To begin with, I’m not talking about hard cider. @hearcat- I’ve read that about the difference in the filtering, but someone I work with once worked for Martinelli’s and he insists there is (his words) absolutely 100% no difference. He was adamant about it. I’m more confused than ever.

I have some in my fridge as we speak as I usually do, Your friend is incorrect

Perhaps it’s different in different regions of the country. Or maybe there is no set guidelines and they vary from bottller to bottler. Martinelli’s is based in Watsonville. That’s about midway down the California coast.

It seems martinelli’s does make apple cider differently than any kind ive ever seen. it might be a regional thing, I have seen dozens of different brands and that is the only time i have ever seen clear apple cider

@AC, I’d go with your friend’s advice on Martinelli’s; looks (and tastes) like apple juice to me. However, cider is usually darker and more cloudy than processed juice to me. The stuff they serve at the Cracker Barrel comes to mind. Have you seen the Discovery Channel How It’s Made segment on apple juice yet? Good show.

The United States is unique in distinguishing between “hard cider” and nonalcoholic “cider.” “Cider” is derived from the Hebrew shekar, meaning “strong drink.” In referring to unfermented apple juice, the proper term is “apple juice” rather than cider.
Source http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/FunFacts/Beverages.html

Cider has two definitions:
1: fermented apple juice often made sparkling by carbonation or fermentation in a sealed container
2: the expressed juice of fruit (as apples) used as a beverage or for making other products (as applejack)
Source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cider?show=0&t=1286121373

Because of this, apple cider means different things to different people, and you can’t go by the terminology alone. For example Martinelli’s FAQ states:

Martinelli’s apple juice and cider are the same; the only difference is the label. Both are 100% pure juice from U.S. grown fresh apples. We continue to offer the cider label since some consumers simply prefer the traditional name for apple juice.
Source: http://www.martinellis.com/faq.shtml