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Punn · 10-28-2005, 01:39 AM

my cider is a bit sour, gonna add some apple extract during bottleing. we just racked it, 12 days after we started it, it just stopped fermenting 2 days ago. anyway, it taste's like apple, but sour........ so other than the extract is there any other way to sweeten it up?

**Walker** · 10-28-2005, 03:02 PM

you can use lactose. it doesn't ferment and can usually be found at any homebrew shop. Just boil some of it in a cup or two of water and dump it in.

-walker

Darth Konvel · 10-28-2005, 04:50 PM

Something I've read suggested trying a small amount of sweetener such as Splenda.

**Walker** · 10-28-2005, 04:53 PM

yeah, artificial sweeteners can be used, but those always taste sort of chemically to me. It's almost like there is some nasty bitter flavor in them that is *almost* overpowered by the sweetness, but not quite.

-walker

Windaria · 10-28-2005, 05:10 PM

Spelnda... it is actually made by adding chlorinating sugar. Chemically it is a pesticide.
Aspertame retards mental development and has other associated problems.
Sachrin is also quite poisonous.

If you want to add some sweetener, and don't want to add a chemical, go to your local healthfood store and pick up some Stevia. You can get it in drops or refined in such a way that it doesn't have the strange plant taste anymore.

**Walker** · 10-28-2005, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Windaria

If you want to add some sweetener, and don't want to add a chemical, go to your local healthfood store and pick up some Stevia. You can get it in drops or refined in such a way that it doesn't have the strange plant taste anymore.

And here's what I have found about Stevia:

“Laboratory studies of stevia have found potential cancer and reproductive-health problems. Stevia depressed sperm production in male rats and reduced the number and size of the offspring of female hamsters. Until those concerns are disproven, stevia should not be used by manufacturers in soft drinks, candy, or other foods,” said David Schardt, associate nutritionist for CSPI.

I think I'd use the lactose.

-walker

Windaria · 10-28-2005, 05:26 PM

That is what the FDA has used as an excuse for not approving Stevia for some time, but the fun thing is that the they have not done a study regarding Stevia's effect on the reproductive system. Those 'concerns' are taken from off-hand notes from other studies. In other words, they were studying any carcinogenic properties of stevia, and had 10 or so rats in their study, and the researcher off-handedly mentioned that one of the rats didn't get pregnant. They weren't trying to impregnate it, they never even mentioned if it did, etc, but it was an off-hand mention.

The reason it is held up is just an industry-protectionist thing in the US. We don't grow stevia natively, and a lot of artificial 'chemical' sweetener producers would lose a lot of money if their product lines became an anathema.

Besides, Stevia actually has the opposite effect on blood sugar that sugar does, in other words, for people who are diabetics... it helps them.

**Walker** · 10-28-2005, 05:31 PM

yeah.. i just like playing the devil's advocate.

Artificial chemical sweeteners can have bad effects, but have you ever looked at how MUCH of it you would have to consume to bring on these effects? You'd be spoon feeding yourself with the crap constantly.

ANYTHING and EVERYTHING can be bad for you if not used in moderation. Hell, you can die from drinking too much water (the very substance that makes up 60% of your body).

-walker

Windaria · 10-28-2005, 05:38 PM

Yes, but there is much question regarding whether or not the effects of the chemical ones is cumulative.

I also know that I have been made sick by too much aspertame once, and it was a very bad experience. I now refuse to buy the Light Ocean Spray... oh my word that was an aweful thing to go through. <shudders>

Anyway, why even bother with the chemicals when you can use something that is actually good for you? It just makes no sense to me...

**justbrewit** · 10-28-2005, 05:44 PM

the can of worms is open, whos going to close it????