Mead is the oldest alcoholic beverage on the planet. Evidence of mead fermentation has been found in pottery containers from China dating back as 7000 B.C. Fruit is not utilized in the production of mead. It is made using honey, water, and yeast rather than fruits.
Mead is also known as honey wine. It has made a reputation for itself in the world of alcoholic drinks due to its unique fermenting procedure and lack of fruity additives. Even though it is prepared from various spices and fruits, it is not termed fruit wine.
Contents
- How to store mead?
- Can You Freeze Mead?
- How Long Does Mead Last?
- How to Tell If Mead Is Bad?
- Sources
- FAQs
- How do you know when mead goes bad?
- How long can you keep an open bottle of mead?
- What does bad mead taste like?
- Can mead age too long?
- How common is botulism in mead?
- How do I know if my mead has bacteria?
- What is cold crashing mead?
- How fast does mead spoil?
- Should bottled mead be refrigerated?
- How do you know if mead has botulism?
How to store mead?
The amount of alcohol in mead varies by brand. When it comes to storage, mead should be treated similarly to wine. You don’t want to spoil your beautiful mead and want to appreciate every last drop of it. If you wish to keep the mead for a longer amount of time, keep the following points in mind.
Keep it away from sunlight.
You must keep it out of direct sunlight. The mead must be stored in a cold, dry area. An unsealed bottle of mead must be carefully sealed. Avoid storing your mead in a warm place, which may soon turn it sour owing to the presence of yeast.
A tougher mead has an alcohol content of 18 to 20%, while other brands have an alcohol content of 8 to 10%.
Place in a cool and dry place
Mead, like wine, may be stored in a cool, dry area away from direct sunlight. The pantry or a kitchen closet is the finest location to keep the mead.
Keep it in the pantry
Traditional mead has a high alcohol concentration. As a result, it does not need to be refrigerated after opening. It can be stored in the wine cellar, but the pantry is also a good option. If it is exposed to sunlight, the flavor will be ruined and the quality will be lost.
Keep it sealed tightly.
Keep in mind that after the bottle has been opened, it should be firmly sealed. If the bottle is corked, it is suitable for long-term storage. The cork remains wet, preventing wine from going bad rapidly.
Store in the fridge
If you want to keep the mead for a long time, store it in the refrigerator. However, if you can use it within a week, don’t store it in the fridge. Meads with a low alcohol concentration may be kept in the refrigerator.
Can You Freeze Mead?
Mead, like other alcoholic beverages, may be kept in the freezer for extended periods of time. However, it may not keep its finest quality in the freezer. Because of the presence of alcohol, it will also take longer to freeze.
It is not suggested to freeze the mead since the natural flavor and taste will be lost. If you want to appreciate the natural taste of mead, avoid freezing it.
How Long Does Mead Last?
Meads are classified into two categories. One is traditional, while the other is more modern. They are shelf-stable because they contain varying levels of alcohol. The shelf life of the traditional and lighter meads, on the other hand, differs.
Classic mead has a high alcohol level, which makes it more stable. A bottle of traditional mead that has not been opened may last for many years. The unsealed bottle, on the other hand, may be stored in the pantry for up to six months. And it may be kept in the fridge for up to eight months.
You should pay attention to the sell-by date on lighter mead. It will keep its optimum quality till then. An unopened bottle of lighter mead may be kept for six months, ideally before the sell by date. However, after the bottle has been opened, attempt to utilize it within a week.
How to Tell If Mead Is Bad?
Classic and lighter mead does not spoil quickly. It becomes more worse if the batch is contaminated. There are several symptoms of mead spoiling that may help us determine whether or not it has gone sour. If you are unsure if the mead has gone bad or not, you should consider the following factors.
- One of the most typical indications of spoiling is discoloration. If you observe any discoloration in the mead, you should remove it right away.
- If it has a bitter taste, you should avoid using it. The flavor of spoiled mead is bitter.
- If you discover any cloudiness in the mead, remove it as soon as possible. It’s also a prevalent indicator of spoiling.
- Finally, take a thorough whiff at it. If it smells terrible and rancid, avoid using it as well.
Sources
- Does it go bad
- Eat Delights
- Fitibility
FAQs
How do you know when mead goes bad?
The typical suspects are present, such as an unusual or rotten fragrance, color change, cloudiness, and bitter taste. If the mead has been sitting in storage for a long period, it’s better to pour a tiny bit and taste it before serving it to your guests. If something doesn’t seem right, throw it out.
How long can you keep an open bottle of mead?
At room temperature or refrigerated, an opened bottle of our traditional meads may easily survive three months or more. If kept in a cool environment away from direct sunlight, an unopened bottle of our sparkling meads may last 1-2 years. Once opened, we recommend enjoying them within 24 hours.
What does bad mead taste like?
The taste will also deteriorate and develop a bitter flavor. Cloudiness may appear in your mead. One of the greatest and simplest methods to detect faulty mead is by its odor or rotten fragrance.
Can mead age too long?
Lighter, sweeter meads should be eaten as soon as feasible. Because these meads don’t age well, anything more than a year – maybe two – isn’t going to be advantageous. This is also true for meads with lesser alcohol content. Darker meads, as well as those with a greater alcohol level, will stay longer.
How common is botulism in mead?
However, as previously said, botulism is highly uncommon and is unlikely to occur in mead making. Botulism may enter the mead through the container or utensils used, but only if no care is taken to sanitize before beginning the brewing process.
How do I know if my mead has bacteria?
Examine It
The scent of mead may help you determine the source of the infection: A vinegar odor indicates the presence of a bacterial or wild yeast infection. A butter odor might indicate tainted yeast or oxygenation. A vomit odor may suggest microorganisms present in ruined beer.
What is cold crashing mead?
“Cold crashing” a wine, mead, or cider refers to the process of chilling your boozy beverage in order to force all of the sediment, yeast, and bitter compounds to settle on the bottom of the container, allowing you to separate the great wine from the gross sludge.
How fast does mead spoil?
Unopened traditional mead, for example, may survive for 5 years, although unopened lighter meads often last 1-2 years. However, once opened, the shelf life of mead reduces, particularly for lighter meads. Lighter mead is typically best consumed within 24 hours after opening.
Should bottled mead be refrigerated?
Because it contains a lot of alcohol, you may keep a typical mead in the pantry even after uncorking. It’s OK to keep the mead in there as long as the bottle is firmly sealed. However, to preserve the quality of your mead, we suggest keeping it in the refrigerator.
How do you know if mead has botulism?
If you have botulism in your mead or must, you’ll notice a strong odor and a black discoloration under the surface of the contaminated medium, which is mead or must in this instance.