In Russia, honey was very loved and appreciated for its useful properties and unsurpassed taste. Various dishes were prepared with him. Particularly noteworthy is such a drink as mead, the preparation of which was an integral element of preparation for ceremonies. So, according to one old custom, the newlyweds at the wedding feast and for another 30 days after were supposed to eat only it and no other alcohol. From here, by the way, the name "honeymoon" came from.
Today, deservedly or not, but the mead at the wedding party was replaced with champagne. However, the question of how to prepare mead has not lost its relevance, since this drink is tasty and healthy. By the way, in the arsenal of our ancestors was a lot of different varieties of this drink and even more ways to prepare it. Today, let’s dwell on the classic version of home mead.
So, stock up on honey (300 g), yeast, sugar and hops.
How to make a mead: step one
Pour water (2 liters) into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Then we begin to gradually add honey to it, trying to mix thoroughly so that it does not burn. In this way, we give the honey to boil for several minutes, not forgetting to remove the foam, which will certainly form. Now add a few hop cones (they are sold in pharmacies). Remove the pan from the heat and close the lid.
How to make a mead: step two
Pour warm water into a glass and dissolve sugar there (a tablespoon). Then we add yeast there (a teaspoon) and leave for half an hour. After the specified time, we will see how rapidly bubbles begin to stand out on the surface of the water. This tells us that the composition is ready for use.
How to make a mead : step three
We wait until the honey dissolved in water cools down to about 40 degrees. Then pour the yeast solution into it. After two hours, you will notice how the surface of the liquid in the pan will cover a copious foam. This means that the process of alcoholic fermentation has begun . During it, from the molecules of glucose (sugar), 2 molecules of alcohol (ethanol) and 2 molecules of carbon dioxide are obtained .
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. We light a match and put it into the pan - if it does not go out, then there is no more carbon dioxide . All is ready.
How to make a mead: step four
We filter our homemade mead and bottle it (best of all glass). At the same time, we remember that it is necessary to fill not the very neck, but approximately 90%. Now we tightly seal the container with lids and put it in the refrigerator, where the drink will have to be infused for five days. After this time, we take out the mead, try and drink, enjoying its pleasant taste and small strength (about 5-7 degrees, nothing more).
Mead, the recipe for the preparation of which you just learned, is a great way to bring a special, original Russian flavor to the festive meal with friends and family.
If we want the finished drink to have a more spicy taste, then in addition to the hoppy cones, we initially add cloves, cinnamon and cardamom to the pot with dissolved honey. These spices will add sophistication and originality to the home mead.
As a rule, what is sold in stores in plastic containers labeled “Mead” is generally impossible to drink. Therefore, do not be lazy (especially since it is not at all difficult) and make at home this most delicious and healthy drink for the immune system, which is recommended to be used for the prevention of seasonal colds and flu by the stack a day.