recipe thoughts?

[bryix]

Making two gallons of melomel tomorrow.

One is going to be a blueberry, while the other will be a cherry melomel.


Cherry Melomel:

3 lbs trader joe's mesquite honey
2 cups Knudsens Just Cherry juice
1 cup frozen black cherries
water to fill
red star premier cuvee yeast


the blueberry recipe is the same, except that it is the knudsen's Just Blueberry and I'm using frozen blueberries

I was also thinking of using the rest of the juice to backsweeten after primary fermentation (and potassium sorbate)

thoughts?

 

[GinKings]

You should add nutrients to your recipe.

 

[bryix]

I'll toss a couple of Centrum tablets in there.

But really, are you talking actual yeast nutrient or are there better alternatives?

 

[GinKings]

Yes, yeast nutrients. Honey doesn't have the nutrients required to keep the yeast happy. Fermaid K and DAP would be my first choice. Nutrient and energizer is fine too. I would stay away from urea based nutrients and energizers. Read the Mead Making FAQ sticky at the top of the mead forum.

 

[jguy898]

I'll toss a couple of Centrum tablets in there.

But really, are you talking actual yeast nutrient or are there better alternatives?

Hahaha! Your yeast getting old and gray?

Yeah, Yeast Nutrient and Energizer. There are two types Energizers, use the one known as D.A.P., aka, Diammonium Phosphate. You should also create a yeast starter using Go-Ferm, or other suitable alternative. Don't use DAP in the yeast starter though, it will kill the yeast during their re-hydration process. You should also consider throwing in about 5 grams potassium carbonate to the must just before pitching the yeast.

Jonas

 

[GinKings]

I believe there are more than two yeast energizers. Many are blends of various things and different companies use different blends. I would use one that contains DAP.

 

[bryix]

Thanks... I haven't used yeast nutrient yet. I've made mead with things like raisins and orange zest for the yeast to munch on before. I was just asking for clarification whether the fruit i was adding would be enough.

gracias

 

[GinKings]

Just my two cents, but I'd be tempted to add about 50% more fruit.

You should consider adding nutrients. Raisins and orange zest really isn't a very good diet for yeast.

 

[bryix]

understood. it worked pretty well before (and i wasn't going to go the raisin and zest route again) but that's why I posted here.

i'll most likely take you up on your fruit advice as well. thanks

 

[Rikadyn]

I'd think you should increase the amount of fruit, and add Fermaid-K till 1/3rd sugar break

 

[mmadmikes1]

check you PH. honey is neutral and yeast don't like that at all.