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**dudasaj** · 10-30-2008, 05:57 AM

I want to add 40oz of dried blueberries to my base mead.

How should i go about adding the fruit. Should I boil water then chill, add water, blueberries and a few campden tbs to my clean carboy and then 24 hours later i can rack my base mead onto the berries.

Or should i rack directly onto the berries and campden?

Open to any good suggestions.....

Thanks

Freezeblade · 10-30-2008, 06:43 AM

my vote is to rack directly onto the dried blueberries if they came right out of the package.

hightest · 10-30-2008, 11:14 AM

Personally, I would steep the died berries in a covered container with just enough hot water to cover them for about 24 hours. I would then add the reconstituted berries (with any leftover water) to your base mead.

I do not believe you'll need to use any Campden unless the berries were stored in an uncovered container.

MikeRLynch · 10-30-2008, 01:22 PM

Holding the blueberries at 150f or so for ten minutes should pasturize them enough to use. Racking the mead on to them will certainly rehydrate them enough. Best of all, you can eat the mead-rehydrated berries after! Yum!

Great idea, I think I'll mix up a few gallons of base mead and try different dried fruits.

**dudasaj** · 11-10-2008, 05:13 AM

I racked directly onto 40oz of dried blueberries.
OG 1.091
SG at racking 1.045 (before berries)

It dropped .046 over 27 days. After racking i considered that maybe i should have continued the primary another few weeks. There was a thick layer of lees. And airlock activity was nearly none.

It's been on the berries 3 days now, and there is no real activity. There are a few bubbles moving through the bulk liquid but not much through the air lock. It is hydrating the blueberries and gases are leaving the berries i think.

I'm afraid i didn't aerate enough.

What should i do to jump start? Aerate and re-pitch a starter? Is it too late to aerate?

MikeRLynch · 11-10-2008, 02:02 PM

It is too late to aerate, that could cause cardboard like flavors. If you want, make a starter of yeast, probably dry yeast, and get it to high krauzen (aerate the starter instead of the mead). I mean like crazy foamy madness. When it gets to that point, toss the whole thing in the mead, foam and all. With the yeast being tottaly active like that, the chance the alcohol level and lack of sugars won't be such a shock. Toss some yeast nutrient in with it and good luck!

hightest · 11-10-2008, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dudasaj

I racked directly onto 40oz of dried blueberries.
OG 1.091, SG at racking 1.045 (before berries)...It's been on the berries 3 days now, and there is no real activity.

I would agree that there is a problem with a mead that only drops 46 points in 27 days.

Before applying a "shotgun" correction approach, it may be helpful to first know your base mead recipe, the steps you took to assemble it, and anything else you did to get to the point where you racked it onto the dried berries.

BTW, are you certain the berries were not sufilted? Some dried fruits are...

**BigKahuna** · 11-10-2008, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freezeblade

my vote is to rack directly onto the dried blueberries if they came right out of the package.

This is what I did!
And be prepared for renewed fermentation. It can and will take a while. Maybe a nice stir (not more o2) There is a LOT of sugar and nutrients in Dry Blueberries. You could pitch another packet of yeast if nothing is really happening. What yeast did you use, you are going to be very highg abv after the berry addition. Maybe some EC-1118 or Premiere Cuvee?

If mine is any indication, you are in for something great here!