First mead fermentation problems

[Slam]

Hello all. I found a recipe for a very simple mead in a older book from the 60's which said to boil 1/2 gal. water with 4 pounds of honey for 2 minutes, let cool, then add 1 ounce citric acid, 1 tsp. yeast nutrient, and 1 cup strong tea. Then add boiled water to make up 1 gal. total and pitch yeast ( red star pasteur champagne).Idid not check OG. I did this three days ago and see no (or very,very little) signs of fermentaion. This was my first attempt at mead and don't know what to think of this. Would love some feedback, thanks.

 

[MikeRLynch]

The OG might be a little high for the yeast to start working. It may take a few days for them to find a foothold. As long as you let the wort cool before pitching the yeast, it should start up soon. You can aerate (shake gently) the jug to get the yeasties up and moving again. Patience, (or in my case, beer brewing to keep me occupied) is required for meads, due to the extreamly long time they ferment in the primary and for the obscenly long time they take to age.

mike

 

[Slam]

Well that seems like good news. I gave them a good shake originaly but it won't hurt to agitate it once more . I am greatful for the reply and i am going to crack open one of my irish stouts and bottle my scotch ale and forget all about it. Thanks.