Mead made with wild yeast

[sarah h]

Re: Mead made with wild yeast

I've never heard of any specific benefits, however I think there are lots of benefits, generally, to dietary diversity so bring on the mead! I've often thought that would be a fun thing to make but never knew how. Sounds like a good winter project as I have enough on the go these days!

[Frances]

Re: Mead made with wild yeast

One more question, are there any known health benefits from eating (or drinking) things made from resident yeast strains?

I know that eating local honey made from the flowers surrounding you is said help against pollen allergies - so has anyone ever heard anything similar about yeast at all?

[Frances]

I still think we need a place to put threads about beverages... brewing, destilling, wine making etc. Admittedly, you can't do them in the oven, but you have to drink something with your pizza after all...

Anyway, I came across this recipe for mead which has no added yeast, the idea being that it picks up the yeast from the air - like a sourdough starter.

Besides being completely enamoured of wild yeast by now, and anything that can be made from it, another advantage to my mind would be that you don't have to filter the finished product. And apparently can drink it right away (?)

You mix water, honey and spices, bring them to the boil, let them cool down and leave it all on a bowl covered with a cloth for 30 days until there are no more bubbles on the surface.

And if this works for mead, why not for other things such as blackberry or dandilion wine as well?

I also thought if I added a small spoonfull of sourdough starter to the mix I might give the resident yeast strains a head start, you know, so they could beat the molds to it.

So, does anybody have any experience with making mead? Tips, favourite recipes? What do you think, would this work?