3.5 lbs fresh cherries - mead or cider?

[bob1852]

I'm not sure what to do, but I just got 3.5 lbs of fresh cherries at a really good price and plopped them in the freezer until I decide what to do - mead or cider?

 

[Poobah58]

Mead! Tried both and the mead was MUCH better...

 

[fatbloke]

Yeah, I'd vote for the mead idea as well.......

 

[Brandon O]

I'm also doing a tart cherry mead. Using the Oregon Fruit in the cans.

 

[travestyofnature]

Also voting mead!

 

[malkore]

mead, but that's also not a lot of fruit for a 'strong' flavor, unless we're talking about a 1-2 gallon batch.

 

[bob1852]

mead, but that's also not a lot of fruit for a 'strong' flavor, unless we're talking about a 1-2 gallon batch.

yes, I forgot to mention that I was thinking a 1 gallon batch - MAYBE 2.5 at most....

looks like the votes are cast for mead!

Now, do you all prefer to primary your fruit, or secondary? I know Schramm says to ferment the honey then rack onto the fruit...

 

[SpaceInvadingMonkeys]

Mead > cider
However, mead does take longer than cider. If time is an important factor, I'd go w/ cider.

 

[travestyofnature]

I like to use fruit in both, adds to the complexity of the mead. The fermentation changes the flavor a little. Use 1.5lb in primary, then rack over the other 2lbs but thats just MO.

 

[Mr. Nice Guy]

Mead sounds better to me if you don't mind waiting a little.