Yew Berry Mead (Taxus Mead recipe)

[EgmondsGoud]

I'm planning to experiment with a mead recipe based on Yew berries, aka the berries from the Taxus plant / Yew tree. (Though poisonous, the fruitflesh on its own is safe and edible.)
I've tried some before and they have a texture akin to raspberries, just a lot sweeter so it would make sense to base this recipe on a raspberry mead recipe. They also have a sort of slimey substance slightly similar to honey.

I will make it a 4 liter recipe for a small container.

Does anyone have any experience brewing with this fruit?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Grod1]

Probably not because like you know everyone is is taught that they are poisonous.

 

[DerkvanHaren]

I'm planning to experiment with a mead recipe based on Yew berries, aka the berries from the Taxus plant / Yew tree. (Though poisonous, the fruitflesh on its own is safe and edible.)
I've tried some before and they have a texture akin to raspberries, just a lot sweeter so it would make sense to base this recipe on a raspberry mead recipe. They also have a sort of slimey substance slightly similar to honey.

I will make it a 4 liter recipe for a small container.

Does anyone have any experience brewing with this fruit?

Thanks in advance.

Hi @EgmondsGoud,
I know its been 5years but I am planning on doing the same. Did you have any notewoethy results? Did it work out? Did you went through with it? I hope I can learn from your attempt.
Kind regards

 

[JP_BeerFan]

Hope the poisonous thing isn't why he hasn't been back these 5yrs Have a few trees around, one saved my life, maybe. (long story)

Their fruit didn't taste very good when I tried an extremely small amount. I also found a dead rat with one in it's mouth in my back yard one time, though I think it was a case of it tried to swallow the smaller end and it stuck and strangled it, vs an actual poisoning thing.

 

[JP_BeerFan]

Hope the poisonous thing isn't why he hasn't been back these 5yrs. Have a few trees around, one saved my life, maybe. (long story)

Their fruit didn't taste very good when I tried an extremely small amount. I also found a dead rat with one in it's mouth in my back yard one time, though I think it was a case of it tried to swallow the smaller end and it stuck and strangled it, vs an actual poisoning thing.

 

[marc1]

Egmonds hasn't been here since shortly after this post in 2017.
My understanding is that the seeds are very poisonous, but the flesh is not. Not worth trying to me, I have no desire to test it. There's plenty of other fruit to try that's far less risky.

 

[DerkvanHaren]

He guys, thank you for your imput! Very helpfull.
I am looking for ways and certain types of fruit which can be beneficial when consumed. The yew berry contains strong anticarcinogenic compouns which I would like to infuse my brew with.
Regarding taste I will believe it doesnt bring nice/unique strong flavour.
Have a nice evening,

 

[Thomus]

It's not answering any of your questions, but i found this in the "Native American Book" by Daniel E. Moerman : Iroquois fermented yew fruits and maple water into a "little beer". It is not stated if they used this primarily for food or as a medicine.

 

[Broken Crow]

https://www.drugs.com/pro/docetaxel.html

 

[McMullan]

Yew 'berries' (arils) are perfectly safe and actually quite nice. The only part of a yew that is safe to ingest. Spit out the seeds, though, FFS.