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topping off with...juice?

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ThomasColeman

NewBee
Registered Member
Dec 30, 2017
2
0
0
I am making two separate gallons of mead. Each batch used 2 1/2 lbs of honey (I wanted a drier mead). I used K1V-1116 yeast, one packet divided between the two gallons. It was re-hydrated in warm water for 15 minutes. In one of the gallons I added about 15 or so raisins. In the other gallon I added 15 raisins, one whole orange including rind and 1 teaspoon of coriander. I shook each gallon for about 10 minutes to aerate. Airlock on each gallon. I Did not take any specific gravity readings because I don't really care what the abv is ( I realize there are other reasons to take sg but....eh). Fermentation looks active and healthy. I plan to rack into clean gallon jugs in three weeks or so (being careful not to oxygenate the must). So now comes the question. In the orange/corriander (but question can pertain to both gallons) the orange takes up a lot of volume. I also suspect that when I rack it that a lot of liquid will be bound up in the orange itself. I would like to top off the jugs to reduce airspace but also to increase my yield of yummy goodness. As stated, I'm not concerned about abv and I want a dry mead (but I don't mind if it turns out sweet either) but I don't want watery mead, so what can I top off with? Orange juice? Apple juice? water? or honey water? Any help or advice would be appreciated. Oh yeah, while I'm add it, should I add fermaid K at the racking?
 

darigoni

Got Mead? Patron
GotMead Patron
Jun 4, 2016
945
63
28
Brookline, NH
Please read the NewBee guide, a link for it which can be found at the top of the web page. Also, check out the 9 episode Meadology videos by the Canadian Sasquatch, on YouTube. Pay particular attention to episodes 3, 6, 7 and 8.

Fermaid K is a yeast nutrient, so why would you add it after your racking? You should be adding it all up front or using a staggered protocol.

Are the raisins for flavor or do you think they are nutrients (they are not) for the yeast?

You can top off with any of those things, but I wouldn't personally use OJ. Be aware that anything with honey/sugar will start your fermentation back up again.
 

ThomasColeman

NewBee
Registered Member
Dec 30, 2017
2
0
0
Thanks for the response. The directions on the Fermaid K say to add it after 1/3 sugar depletion. I realize that after 3 weeks that more sugar than that will be converted....but....better late than never? I did add the raisins as a yeast nutrient, now I know better. Thanks for the opinion about the orange juice and the heads-up on the vids, I'll check em out.
 

Squatchy

Lifetime GotMead Patron
Lifetime GotMead Patron
Nov 3, 2014
5,542
261
83
Denver
Yeast cannot assimilate nitrogen of any source after 10%ABV. All you are doing after that point is adding unwanted flavors to your flavor profile
 
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