- Joined
- Apr 6, 2009
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Okay, I cook with Grains of Paradise all of the time. I have used them for years. They are amazing ground up on a salad. I did not realize I could use them in beer. Then again, what can't you use in beer? I have seen a few old recipes that called for horse blood (WHY? and no thanks, but WHY?).
Nevertheless, what I want to know is what are Grains of Paradise used for in beer? Any idea? The typical amount I have seen used in recipes is between 2g and 1/8 teaspoon [utterly different, unrelated units, but hey, why not!]. Usually powdered or ground, but sometimes just crushed.
Now, I have been using Grains of Paradise for years. While a little bit does go a long ways ... it really doesn't go a long ways in things that are extremely flavorful. The amount to put into a spaghetti sauce is ridiculous if you really want to get the full flavor. It is cheaper to add pepper. Which brings me to pepper, I see recipes calling for up to 18g of pepper... Which makes the small amount of Grains of Paradise called for odd.
So what is going on here? Is Grains of Paradise being used for something other than flavor? Because, quite frankly, at 2g, heck even 4g, in a 5 gallon batch, I just don't see it adding much, if anything, noticeable.
Finally, I buy grains of paradise at a price of $39 per half pound, that is about 17 cents per gram. I buy these from a spice lady I am very fond of - I can get anything from her, great prices ... and yet, the local home brew shop? 4 grams, $2.95. Insane! Price difference? 17cpg vs 73cpg. Yikes! That is insane, I truly do not grok it! Sure, the home brew shop is not a spice specialist, but that is an insane markup...
And if someone wants the info for my spice lady, PM me, unless someone unequivocally tells me I can post it here, I am not going to post it. I feel funky enough even mentioning a source I purchase from that is not a home brew shop and don't want to step on any toes...
Right, enough rambling, thanks for helping me fulfill my curiosity!
M
Nevertheless, what I want to know is what are Grains of Paradise used for in beer? Any idea? The typical amount I have seen used in recipes is between 2g and 1/8 teaspoon [utterly different, unrelated units, but hey, why not!]. Usually powdered or ground, but sometimes just crushed.
Now, I have been using Grains of Paradise for years. While a little bit does go a long ways ... it really doesn't go a long ways in things that are extremely flavorful. The amount to put into a spaghetti sauce is ridiculous if you really want to get the full flavor. It is cheaper to add pepper. Which brings me to pepper, I see recipes calling for up to 18g of pepper... Which makes the small amount of Grains of Paradise called for odd.
So what is going on here? Is Grains of Paradise being used for something other than flavor? Because, quite frankly, at 2g, heck even 4g, in a 5 gallon batch, I just don't see it adding much, if anything, noticeable.
Finally, I buy grains of paradise at a price of $39 per half pound, that is about 17 cents per gram. I buy these from a spice lady I am very fond of - I can get anything from her, great prices ... and yet, the local home brew shop? 4 grams, $2.95. Insane! Price difference? 17cpg vs 73cpg. Yikes! That is insane, I truly do not grok it! Sure, the home brew shop is not a spice specialist, but that is an insane markup...
And if someone wants the info for my spice lady, PM me, unless someone unequivocally tells me I can post it here, I am not going to post it. I feel funky enough even mentioning a source I purchase from that is not a home brew shop and don't want to step on any toes...
Right, enough rambling, thanks for helping me fulfill my curiosity!
M