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Fresh fruit vs. frozen
How big is the difference in the quality of a mead made with fresh vs. frozen fruit? Me and a friend made a small experimental batch of blueberry/raspberry mead with fresh berries and it turned out well. We want to do a bigger batch but I was wondering if it is worth waiting until berries are in season. Has anybody had bad/good experiances with frozen fruit?
Hmmm boy I only have a half ass answer to this one. Mead... no... fruit yes. I have only used frozen fruit, but I have heard time and time again that with fresh fruit, there is a difference.
Unfortunately, I have no experience here. However, is fruit is anything like hops in freshness, there should definitely be a difference.
Just my opinion...
I have only ever done one batch of mead and it's not even finished yet, but a co-worker of mine is an accomplished mead maker (whatever you call that) and we have had numerous conversations on different aspects of mead making and brewing in general. If you have high quality frozen fruit then great if not take your fresh fruit and freeze it before you use it. The purpose behind this is to create ice crystals in the fruit to puncture membranes within the fruit to make it give up it's fruity goodness more completely. Better ingredients = better finished product. Now that I've said that I have to say that mead making to me is more of a low cost utilization of equipment sort of thing. I make mead using processed clover honey (Sue Bee, I think) which some people will tell you is a major no-no. I utilized some old ginger tea I wasn't drinking because I wanted to see what would happen. I think all told in the 6 gallon batch I have $13 invested. I have the carboys and fermenters available so why not try to utilize them. I am not much of a wine drinker, but I enjoyed the experience and waiting for it to come of age will not be a problem for me. The experience itself was worth the $13. I think waiting for the fresh fruit is a great idea, but why not try to get something started so you have something to compare your fresh fruit batch to and get more experience along the way. Brew on.
I have used Fresh and frozen fruits, but like john said you are going to want to freeze your fresh fruit as well. I really didn't notice much of a difference.
I tried the extracts out as well and have to say that I will never do that again. Really didn't like how it made the beer come out.
The frozen fruit makes life a bit easier, as the fruit is already prep'd and ready to go.
Cheers
I've had good results with frozen fruit when I have used good quality organic frozen fruit I bought at Trader Joes. If you have a healthy foods market near you they might have something similar. The cost is a bit more for organic, but I brew a gallon or two and make smaller batches. I like the suggestion that you try frozen now and fresh in the summer to compare, that way you don't have to wait to brew.
You can also try using dried fruit. I toss raisens and dried currents in the boil after I've rinsed them. Just let the must sit for 24 hours before pitching to make sure any sulfites from the fruit don't stop your yeast from fermenting.
Happy brewing,
MzIce
I was talking with a friend who said that putting fruit in the initial batch was ok, but that to wait for the first racking made the fruit break down faster considering that was already some alcohol in the brew. Also that the fruit taste would come stronger more flavourfull when added later in the fermentation process. I gave it a try and I think the flavor is more pronounced if you add the fruit when you rack the first time.
It is just my opinion but I think it did better this way.
One Mead I want to try is the prickly pear mead. Have yet to brought myself to paying so much for the fruit. I have heard that it makes a terrific mead. Has anyone used prickly pears to make mead?
HI
I am currently trying to use the frozen little cans of "punch juice" to see wether or not it will work. I am certain that in theory it should work as it is just frozen consentrated fruit juice and it contains enough natural sugars to work well.
I was just wondering if anyone else had tried this.
Stuman,
Are you sure the frozen juice concentrate doesn't have preservatives? Have you actually got a batch going yet?
MzIce
yes it actually worked
it stopped about halfway though but it did fine i have tried some and it needed more sugar because the natural stuff must have been used up, so i added some strawberry and banana juice and it tasted great
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