Making Traditional rice Wine. Cheap, Fun, and Different

[Fuzzymittenbrewing]

Damn that looks good!!!! Next batch will be half jasmine and half sweet black rice.

Last batch I did was half jas half black and it was indeed fantastic

 

[MasterCrook]

I may have screwed up my second batch. I used Jasmine rice, and I steamed it for almost 2 hours on medium heat, but it turned out kind of firm. That's the only thing I'm worried about. When I used sushi rice, the texture was perfect, but this time I think it may be too dry. Has anyone had experience with using Jasmine rice that was steamed and came out a little on the dry side?

 

[Gated312]

All of my batches have had a bit of a sour/sulfury taste regardless of water ratio, fermentation temps, etc so I am pretty sure the yeast I am using is the culprit. Still tastes good especially warm. Anybody else had experience with these?

I used what look like the exact same yeast balls on my first batch. It came out good, but my other ones (using different yeast balls) have been better. Just like you say, a little sulfury/hot compared to the others.

 

[sonofgrok]

For anyone who is interested, I cultured one of my rice balls in Mycology class to see what kind of fungus was in there for the saccharrifcation. I was expecting Aspergillus oryzea but instead got Rhyzopus (oryzae?). Haven't sequenced it yet but its definitely Rhizopus and I would guess its oryzae.

 

[jak1010]

For anyone who is interested, I cultured one of my rice balls in Mycology class to see what kind of fungus was in there for the saccharrifcation. I was expecting Aspergillus oryzea but instead got Rhyzopus (oryzae?). Haven't sequenced it yet but its definitely Rhizopus and I would guess its oryzae.

That is interesting. Wondering if it's different for other types of yeast balls that "look" the same.

 

[Accidic]

anyone knows if that pink color stuff is ok? my friend said that i should throw everything away. it's the 7th day of fermentation~~

this is the recipe that i am following.. http://shoonyin.blogspot.sg/2012/04/how-to-make-chinese-rice-wine-no-mi-jiu.html

I wish I could give you a more solid answer than the following but I've seen similarish discolor but I do not know if the reasons are the same. For one, I've used RRY in a couple batches and I got a piece mixed in with my yeast balls that I'm pretty sure dropped into the rice (although glutinous black rice puts off a pinkish purple color as well if you use it). For the other, I'm 90% certain it came off the bag which had a pink color and I found a few grains that had bleed through ink. I drank it, it didn't hurt me, but there is no guarantee it's the same thing so if you really feel worried I would err on the side of caution and move on with it. Rice is cheap for the most part and it isn't worth getting sick if you're not confident in your results. I would think along the lines of no pathogens bleh bleh bleh.... And I'd personally probably still drink it but that's just me.

I'm mildly more alarmed by Grok's discovery of it being Rhyzopus. My memory is a bit hairy but wasn't one of those that had that f'd up strain that killed some guy some years ago? I realize that's probably far less probable but it has at least had a few more run-ins than A. Ory though I thought.

 

[Accidic]

Hmmm, maybe scratch the thing above about problems with it. I'm not seeing it anymore. I'd swear I read that somewhere though.

 

[Arpolis]

For anyone who is interested, I cultured one of my rice balls in Mycology class to see what kind of fungus was in there for the saccharrifcation. I was expecting Aspergillus oryzea but instead got Rhyzopus (oryzae?). Haven't sequenced it yet but its definitely Rhizopus and I would guess its oryzae.

Haha that is great Sonofgrok! I tried a long while back to make my own yeast balls and did not have good results. I actually figured it may have more than one kind of mold in it. But I based that off of old traditional ways of making Jiuqu which was to just leave blocks of dough in a thatch roof for a couple weeks lol. The molds I choose to cultivate my Jiuqu was Penicillium Roqueforti and Aspergillus Oryzae. Looks like I was off by a bit. Let us know if you find anything further.

 

[sonofgrok]

That is interesting. Wondering if it's different for other types of yeast balls that "look" the same.

I am sure it is. I am still pretty sure at least some of these balls are using A. oryzae.

I'm mildly more alarmed by Grok's discovery of it being Rhyzopus. My memory is a bit hairy but wasn't one of those that had that f'd up strain that killed some guy some years ago? I realize that's probably far less probable but it has at least had a few more run-ins than A. Ory though I thought.

Most Rhizopus species are pretty safe and benign. A lot of bread molds are Rhizopus. Aspergillus has its nasty species as well, think fumigatus.

Haha that is great Sonofgrok! I tried a long while back to make my own yeast balls and did not have good results. I actually figured it may have more than one kind of mold in it. But I based that off of old traditional ways of making Jiuqu which was to just leave blocks of dough in a thatch roof for a couple weeks lol. The molds I choose to cultivate my Jiuqu was Penicillium Roqueforti and Aspergillus Oryzae. Looks like I was off by a bit. Let us know if you find anything further.

I might end up sequencing it but I found some more interesting stuff on an onion that I think is Penicillium that might be more interesting to burn my free sequence run on. Like I said, I am pretty sure what the rice ball culture is just getting it under the scope. A. oryzae has alpha-amylase excretion as well and I am pretty sure it is also a staple in the sake industry.

 

[trbig]

I am sure it is. I am still pretty sure at least some of these balls are using A. oryzae.



Most Rhizopus species are pretty safe and benign. A lot of bread molds are Rhizopus. Aspergillus has its nasty species as well, think fumigatus.



I might end up sequencing it but I found some more interesting stuff on an onion that I think is Penicillium that might be more interesting to burn my free sequence run on. Like I said, I am pretty sure what the rice ball culture is just getting it under the scope. A. oryzae has alpha-amylase excretion as well and I am pretty sure it is also a staple in the sake industry.

Guys like this online and nobody can figure out what some pink s**t is in a guy's brew.. lol.

 

[Tamarlane]

I may have screwed up my second batch. I used Jasmine rice, and I steamed it for almost 2 hours on medium heat, but it turned out kind of firm. That's the only thing I'm worried about. When I used sushi rice, the texture was perfect, but this time I think it may be too dry. Has anyone had experience with using Jasmine rice that was steamed and came out a little on the dry side?

I tried to stream a batch of sweet black rice and it didn't absorb enough water...smelled good, grew some fuzz on top but almost no liquid produced. I gave up steaming and went back to boiling in a pot. Soaking might help if you insist on steaming

 

[Arpolis]

Soaking in water prior to steaming is important. The steam is not supposed to rehydrate the rice. The steam is just the element used to slowly heat the rice to get it to cook.

 

[MasterCrook]

Damn, that's exactly what I'm seeing. There's some fuzz on top, but it looks way too dry to yield any good quantities.

Tamarlane: Did your batch taste ok?

Arpolis: I should have soaked it. I read a lot about being careful about soaking, because it could make it sour. I did however add water into the bottle before sealing, I hope that will help with the dryness.

 

[MasterCrook]

It's only been 3 days, maybe I'm just being impatient because I'm unfamiliar with Jasmine rice

 

[Accidic]

He could probably figure out the pink if he had a sample. Figuring it out from a picture though... Heheh.

The only Rhyzo I've seen up close is a "non-toxic" cleanup for glycerol of some other items. I thought it was more prone to mutating than Aspergillus though.

 

[sonofgrok]

It's only been 3 days, maybe I'm just being impatient because I'm unfamiliar with Jasmine rice

Some of my drier batches of jasmine have taken a week to show liquid.

He could probably figure out the pink if he had a sample. Figuring it out from a picture though... Heheh.

The only Rhyzo I've seen up close is a "non-toxic" cleanup for glycerol of some other items. I thought it was more prone to mutating than Aspergillus though.

Yah, with a sample I could probably do better. Pink is likely bacterial though... but I didn't want to scare anyone without knowing for sure haha. It may turn out fine.

I should add that is assuming it is organismal at all and not discoloration due to some other factor.

 

[MasterCrook]

Some of my drier batches of jasmine have taken a week to show liquid.

How did the drier rice batches taste? How long did you let them ferment?

 

[Arpolis]

Arpolis: I should have soaked it. I read a lot about being careful about soaking, because it could make it sour. I did however add water into the bottle before sealing, I hope that will help with the dryness.

A good way to reduce that sourness is to use ice cold water with a few ice cubes mixed in and left in the fridge over night. Then steam the next day. Always works out for me.

 

[jak1010]

A good way to reduce that sourness is to use ice cold water with a few ice cubes mixed in and left in the fridge over night. Then steam the next day. Always works out for me.

That's a first for me. I don't have a sour problem but, I may try this just to see what difference it makes.

I still make mine according to SOGs original post (except for the soaking) but I love how this stuff evolves. Many possibilities.

 

[Leadgolem]

...I might end up sequencing it but I found some more interesting stuff on an onion that I think is Penicillium that might be more interesting to burn my free sequence run on. Like I said, I am pretty sure what the rice ball culture is just getting it under the scope. A. oryzae has alpha-amylase excretion as well and I am pretty sure it is also a staple in the sake industry.

That wouldn't surprise me. I've had that back of the mind itchy thing that said what I was making rice wine out of probably wasn't aspergillus oryzae. It seemed to be more tolerant of differing growing conditions that a. oryzae is supposed to be. That, and it just didn't look that much like the photo's I've seen of sake making fungus.

Guys like this online and nobody can figure out what some pink s**t is in a guy's brew.. lol.

Honestly, I thought it looked like an algae. That's a common problem with mushroom growth medium if it's left in a location with to much light.

 

[MasterCrook]

Ok, so my batch is coming along. The mold grow on top is much different than last time though. The last batch I made with sushi rice and yeast balls grew a white crust layer on top, it was even coloured and didn't have any hairs. This time my batch is with Jasmine rice, yeast balls, and RYR. The mold on top is a layer of white fuzz, like what you'd see on rotting fruit. I barely smelled the sweet ferment smell, like it's just starting.

 

[MasterCrook]

Has anyone found a device to accurately test abv% ?

 

[Oakes]

Can you do this with a wine or champagne yeast? I have a tone of extras and do not want to buy the Chinese yeast if possible.

 

[ChefRex]

Can you do this with a wine or champagne yeast? I have a tone of extras and do not want to buy the Chinese yeast if possible.

Simple answer, No. Well worth the investment.
Just finished harvesting my latest batch, prepping my next.:rockin:

 

[Rambunctious]

My first batch ever 3days old.


Sent from my iPad using Home Brew

 

[josephbernard66]

This stuff makes great bbq too. Soak pork ribs in it overnight witg a lil charsui sauce.

 

[jak1010]

My first batch ever 3days old.View attachment 190451


Sent from my iPad using Home Brew

Nice! Before you know it, you'll be on batch 10.

 

[trbig]

Can you do this with a wine or champagne yeast? I have a tone of extras and do not want to buy the Chinese yeast if possible.

You need to have something that breaks down the rice starch into sugars that the yeast can then eat. Rice with just yeast will produce absolutely nothing. There's no sugar there for it to eat. Chinese yeast balls and those like it are the only way you'll ever make rice wine... except for things like White Labs has a Sake yeast that will do it. One vial of the White Labs will cost you more than a whole bag of yeast balls.

 

[FatDragon]

I think there was discussion here before about adding Amylase enzyme to the rice and using other yeasts, though I don't remember if I saw any posts about the results.

 

[ChefRex]

Nice! Before you know it, you'll be on batch 10.

Funny how that happens!