Walnut Honey for Mead?

ScottMcArron · Oct 27, 2013

Hey guys, newbie here. I've made a few relatively successful batches of mead so far, some better than others. Have a question I can't seem to find the answer for through searching this site. I've gotten my hands on some raw walnut honey from a local beekeeper here in Germany. It tastes fantastic! It's dark and, well, nutty. Quite the character.

Has anyone successfully made mead from walnut honey? I've seen people post about walnut extract or trying to use black walnuts without much success. Seems walnut honey might be the way to go to get that nutty character. What do you think? Any experience you can lend me in what might go wrong?

My plan:
3.5 lbs walnut honey
handful of raisins for the yeast (try to keep it as natural a process as possible)
D47 yeast (has worked well for me so far, and I have it on hand, and environment is under 70 degrees, so I believe it should be fine)
Fill to 1 gallon water

Any thoughts on this? Danke!

fatbloke · Oct 27, 2013

Walnut ? No, but I've done Italian Chestnut honey, which was dark, sweet but with an earthy/dusty sort of note.

I think (can't be certain) that it was either K1V or 71B (not a big fan of D47 as it seems to leave too much of a "white-winey" sort of note when fermented dry (with proper nutrients - raisins can add body but it seems you need too much for correct nutrition IMO).......

So I'd say yes, give it a go.....should be excellent.

GntlKnigt1 · Oct 28, 2013

Walnut honey?

I would love to say that walnut honey would not ferment in Germany and that you would need to ship it to the Netherlands.... but, that wouldn't be right....

Should make an awesome batch.....

WVMJack · Oct 28, 2013

Dont the French guys actually make mead with green unripe walnuts? I keep wanting to try it but the honry budget has to have room for it. We have hundreds of walnut trees here, will have to see if the bees work it. WVMJ

GntlKnigt1 · Oct 29, 2013

Hundreds of walnut trees? I am SO jealous. Not only are the nuts nice, but the wood is worth a FORTUNE to furniture makers....Have heard of trees going for $5000 and more....You have your retirement fund growing on your property !!!

WVMJack · Oct 29, 2013

They are alleopathic and I need to cut a bunch down to make it safe for some apple trees, they dont get along, the walnuts will kill them slowly. I also hate tripping on walnuts as we walk around. Not going to cut them down just because I have a chainsaw, most are going to be left alone in peace for the dam 10 pound squirrels that eat them, and then our apples! But that green walnut mead keeps sounding interesting. WVMJ

danr · Oct 30, 2013

WVMJack said:
They are alleopathic

allelopathy
The inhibition of growth in one plant species by chemicals produced by another. For example, other plants will often not grow underneath black walnut trees, since these trees produce juglone, a chemical inhibiting plant respiration.

That was my new word for today. Thanks.

TheAlchemist · Nov 3, 2013

danr said:
allelopathy
The inhibition of growth in one plant species by chemicals produced by another. For example, other plants will often not grow underneath black walnut trees, since these trees produce juglone, a chemical inhibiting plant respiration.

That was my new word for today. Thanks.

"juglone" is nice, too...

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Walnut Honey for Mead?

ScottMcArron

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fatbloke

good egg/snappy dresser.....

GntlKnigt1

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WVMJack

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GntlKnigt1

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WVMJack

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danr

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TheAlchemist

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