First Mead

[BLTF]

Hi everyone!big time newbe here.I have a gal of JAOM that has been in the jug for about 6wks now,should I leave it sit on the lees and wait for the fruit to drop before I rack?It seems to be clearing well.Thanks

 

[MedsenFey]

You want to wait for it to become clear enough that you can read print through it, but you don't have to wait for the fruit to drop.

Medsen.

 

[BLTF]

Thanks for the reply.Do u think it would do any harm to just let it alone and wait for the fruit to drop ?

 

[MedsenFey]

It won't hurt to let it age longer - sometimes though, the fruit doesn't want to drop.

 

[WheresOurFish]

I started two batches of JAOM on New Year's Day, and the fruit finally just barely dropped below the surface of the mead this week. Prior to starting the batches, I decided that I was going to be patient, and wait to see how long before the fruit fully drops. So, just for reference, don't be surprised if it takes at least a couple months.

 

[malkore]

after 6 weeks, if it were me, I'd be racking it off the lees. let it clear more and then bottle it.
but that's what I would do.

 

[summersolstice]

I never rack my JAOM. I let it clear and bottle it from around the fruit. Everyone has their own preference and after you make a couple of batches you will too.

 

[Kauai_Kahuna]

With all respect to summersolstice, I would have a hard time leaving the fruit and lees sit for over two months. But that's me being anal.
If you have a spare jug to rack to, I would do it once it's mostly clear. Then let it age until you just have to drink it.
Some day I may truly learn and understand patience, just not now!

 

[summersolstice]

As I said, to each his own. The original JAOM recipe directs you to bottle directly from the primary. Thousands of successful batches can't be wrong!

 

[BLTF]

Thanks everyone.its clearing pretty well so ill just go ahead and bottle from the primary.between the fruit and the lees it looks theres only 3/4 of a gal in there.is there a trick to racking this so as i leave most of the lees behind?i notice that its really easily stirred up.