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​Blackberry Mead

The humble blackberry – to many this glorious berry goes unseen and unnoticed amongst thick creeping brambles that overtake and weave it’s way in a most unruly style.  Only the most formidable of scavengers, be it human, owl or vole dare reach the sun toasted bright berry at the hider and highest point of the bramble bush for the treasure that rewards those who seek. 
 
Blackberries can be turned into an elegant and sophisticated drink, both of a mead and a wine.  My personal preference is the mead, as the rich and sweet honey tones compliment the fruitiness and body of the blackberry.  
Here is my recipe for blackberry mead.
 
Ingredients
  • 2kg blackberries (freezing them gives a higher yield of juice)
  • 2kg honey
  • 1 squirt of lemon juice
  • 3-4 Juniper berries (optional)
  • Yeast
  • 1 tsp Pectolase

Method
 
  • Freeze the blackberries for a night to break down the cell structure, thus releasing more juice and flavour.
  • Pour blackberries into a large saucepan, and pour on top the 2kg of honey.
  • Pour over boiling water to about the 4 liter mark.
  • Stir well to mix up the honey and berries.
  • Place on the stove on a high simmer, to infuse the berries and honey.
  • Prepare your fermentation bucket, and pour the blackberry / honey concoction into the bucket.
  • Allow to cool to room temp
  • Add lemon juice for nutrients and acidity
  • Add some optional juniper berries for a botanical flavour
  • Add 1 teaspoon of pectolase.
  • Add 1 packet of yeast and stir well.

A week later, come back to your bucket and strain out the liquid into a clean demijohn, fit and airlock and allow to ferment.  Rack as and when required before setting aside to bulk mature for 6-12 months before bottling.  


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  • Home
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
  • Wine List & Recipes
    • Banana Wine Made Simple
    • Blaand
    • Blackberry Mead
    • Christmas Pudding Wine!
    • Easy Rhubarb Wine
    • Gorse Flower Wine
    • Gutsy Ginger Wine
    • Liquorice Wine
    • Mead Making Made Simple
    • Mint Wine Recipe
    • Mushroom Wine
    • Nasturtium Leaf Wine
    • No Boil Rhubarb Wine
    • Pine Needle Wine
    • Pumpkin Wine
    • Rose Hip Leaf Wine
    • Red Kidney Bean Wine!
    • Rose Petal Wine
    • Seaweed Wine
    • Spiced banana wine
    • Turnip and Red Cabbage Wine
    • Wine Making 101
    • What is a country wine?
    • ​Can I use bread yeast to make wine?
  • Homestead
    • Dee's Corner >
      • Military wife blog
      • First Time Pregnant
    • Projects >
      • SmallholdersUK
      • Beard Award
      • #Eday on Twitter
    • Recipes >
      • Homemade Cheese
      • Pickled Quail Eggs
      • Simple Bread Loaf
      • Banana Ice-Cream
      • Rhubarb Chutney (Old)
      • Making Sea Salt on the Log Fire
      • Shepherds pie for the dogs
    • Our Island >
      • Homestead or Smallholding
      • 18 days until we move!
      • 10 days until we move
      • 2 Days to go!
      • We are here!
      • Waterworks!
      • Location is not the answer
      • Remote Living Challenges
      • The Caves
      • Reason to waggle (caves)
      • Sea Fishing in Eday
    • Duck >
      • Duck shed
      • Duck 1: Incubation
      • Duck 2: Imprinting
      • Duck 3: Outdoors
      • Duck 4: Attached
    • Quail >
      • Quail 1: Reasons
      • Quail 2: Incubation
      • Quail 3: Brooding
      • Quail 4: Raising
      • Quail 5: Suicidal
      • Quail 6: Permaculture
      • Quail 7: Environment
      • Quail 8: Setup
    • Chickens >
      • Chickens Fancy vs Warren
      • Ebay Eggs
      • Our Egg Hatching Plan
      • Nursing Chickens 1 - 2018
      • Brooding Chickens 1 - 2018
      • Hatching Chickens 1 - 2018
    • Home & Garden >
      • Baby Starling
      • Spider Plants
      • Aloe Vera
      • Fuel for winter
      • Peat, Coal, Wood
      • Hoarding Supplies
      • Coffee grounds
      • Brewers Hops
      • Brewers grain
      • Teabag compost
      • Essential oils
      • Eco Toothbrush
      • No Fridge?
    • Other articles >
      • The best and the worst of dog food!
      • Random acts of kindness
      • Bristol No Foraging
      • Philosophy on Raising Children
      • Close encounter with Bulls
      • Blog
  • Adventures