How to make mead at home?

In Russia honey was very loved and appreciated for its useful properties and unsurpassed taste qualities. Various dishes were prepared with him. Particularly noteworthy is a drink like a mead, the preparation of which was an integral part of preparing for the solemn ceremonies. So, according to one ancient custom, the newlyweds at the wedding feast and for another 30 days after had to eat only it and no other alcohol. From here, by the way, the name "honeymoon" has gone.

Today, deservedly or not, but the mead at a wedding banquet was replaced with champagne. However, the question of how to prepare a mead, has not lost its relevance, since this drink is delicious and useful. By the way, in the arsenal of our ancestors was a lot of different varieties of this drink and even more ways of its preparation. Today we will stop on the classic version of home mead.

So, stock up honey (300 g), yeast, sugar and hops.

How to Make Mead: Step One

Pour in a saucepan of water (2 liters) and bring to a boil. Then we start gradually adding honey to it, trying to stir it thoroughly so that it does not burn. In this way, we give honey a few minutes, remembering to remove the foam, which will certainly be formed. Now add a few intoxicating cones (they are sold in pharmacies). Remove the pan from the fire and close the lid.

How to Make Mead: Step Two

Pour warm water into a glass and dissolve sugar there (a spoon). Then add the yeast (tea spoon) and leave for half an hour. After the specified time, we will see how bubbles begin to vigorously appear on the water surface. This tells us that the composition is ready for use.

How to Make Mead : Step Three

We wait, when dissolved in water honey will cool down to about 40-degree temperature. Then pour the yeast solution into it. After an hour or two, you will notice how the foam surface will cover the surface of the liquid in the pan. This means that the process of alcohol fermentation began. In the course of it, two molecules of alcohol (ethanol) and two molecules of carbon dioxide are obtained from the molecules of glucose (sugar) .

Fermentation will be completed after seven days, and its completion can be judged by the fact that the foam disappears from the surface. To finally make sure that the future drink is ready, we proceed as follows. Let's light a match and put it in a pan - if it does not go out, then there is no more carbon dioxide . All is ready.

How to make mead: step four

Filter our homemade mead and bottle it (preferably glass). At the same time we remember that it is necessary to fill up not at the very neck, but approximately 90%. Now tightly clog the container covers and put it in the refrigerator, where the drink should be infused for five days. At the end of this time, we take the mead, taste and drink, enjoying its pleasant taste and small strength (about 5-7 degrees, no more).

Mead, the recipe of which you have just learned, is a wonderful way to bring a special, primordially Russian flavor to a festive meal with friends and family.

If we want the ready-made drink to have a more spicy taste, then besides the hop cones, we initially add cloves, cinnamon and cardamom to the pot with dissolved honey. These spices will give the homemade mead a sophistication and uniqueness.

As a rule, what is sold in stores in a plastic container labeled "Mead", it is generally impossible to drink. Therefore, do not be too lazy (especially it's not difficult at all) and make this delicious and healthy drink for the immune system at home, which is recommended to be used to prevent seasonal colds and flu in a pile a day.