Adding spices

I was going to add some dry spices to the secondary (nutmeg, cinnamon, all spice, etc). I figured I would just boil it in a little water for 5 minutes and then add it in. Is preboiling necessary?

I would. I don't add anything unless I am 100% sure it is sterile.

buzzbromp said:

I was going to add some dry spices to the secondary (nutmeg, cinnamon, all spice, etc). I figured I would just boil it in a little water for 5 minutes and then add it in. Is preboiling necessary?

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kevinb said:

I would. I don't add anything unless I am 100% sure it is sterile.

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I wouldn't. By boiling you will be boiling away the flavor and aroma character you're looking for. You can however pasteurize it if you are truly concerned. That will keep more flavor than boiling.

buzzbromp said:

I was going to add some dry spices to the secondary (nutmeg, cinnamon, all spice, etc). I figured I would just boil it in a little water for 5 minutes and then add it in. Is preboiling necessary?

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Hello, You can extract the flavors by soaking your spices in a cup of vodka for a day or two, then add that to your secondary, this is a fairly common way to add flavors to secondary's.

Cheers

Mojzis said:

I wouldn't. By boiling you will be boiling away the flavor and aroma character you're looking for. You can however pasteurize it if you are truly concerned. That will keep more flavor than boiling.

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How would you recomend pasturizing?

kevinb said:

How would you recomend pasturizing?

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You could heat the spices with water to the range of 160-180 for around 15-20 minutes.

Or you could make a tea like Wile suggested. Use cheap vodka to soak your spices in for a few days, then add that concoction to your secondary. The very high alcohol will kill most bacteria and wild fungi. This would be the easiest way and will add the most flavor (think of the alcohol as a better solvent than water). Lots of people do this for vanilla beans, but it would work with most spices and flavorings.

Thanks guys, the vodka idea is great!

buzzbromp said:

Thanks guys, the vodka idea is great!

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Your welcome.

Have fun brewing and let us know how it turns out ok.

Cheers