Kareltje wrote:When I made wine I was warned: strawberries taste and smell very good, but the wine is disappointing. Standard recipe was 2 kg of berries plus 1,25 kg of sugar in 5 litre ferment. I don't think this proves, that strawberries are not suited for mashing. This is more a strawberry flavored sugar wash. I can understand, that you used a bit sugar, but to dilute it with water, only that it is possible to use even more sugar? 2kg strawberries + 0.5kg sugar = 2.3l 12-13%. This is what I would do perhaps.
Pecto-enzyme releases methanol, so I would prefer two cycles of freezing and thawing. For strawberries both pecto-enzyme and freezing is not needed, if you mash them ripe.
Strawberries
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- der wo
- Master of Distillation
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Re: Strawberries
In this way, imperialism brings catastrophe as a mode of existence back from the periphery of capitalist development to its point of departure. - Rosa Luxemburg
Re: Strawberries
When I did this recipe I froze them because I didn't get them all at one time, even with the addition of sugar the flavor was nice and smooth with a subtle taste of the berries.
A year later, I only have a small bit left butt... the berry taste came through very strong and is a good drink white.
I haven't put any wood in my fruit likker, except for a quart of the plum brandy which I wish I wouldn't have done.
My suggestion if you want to strawberry is to use no less than 4# fruit to 1# sugar maybe even 5 to 1.
The only way I can't see adding water is if you have a shit load of berries and don't need to or if you like der wo have a still with an agitation system. OR a thumper in which you could use a steam outfit.
Shine0n
A year later, I only have a small bit left butt... the berry taste came through very strong and is a good drink white.
I haven't put any wood in my fruit likker, except for a quart of the plum brandy which I wish I wouldn't have done.
My suggestion if you want to strawberry is to use no less than 4# fruit to 1# sugar maybe even 5 to 1.
The only way I can't see adding water is if you have a shit load of berries and don't need to or if you like der wo have a still with an agitation system. OR a thumper in which you could use a steam outfit.
Shine0n
- der wo
- Master of Distillation
- Posts: 3817
- Joined: Mon Apr 13, 2015 2:40 am
- Location: Rote Flora, Hamburg
Re: Strawberries
It's by far more easy to distill a thick fruit wash than a grain wash without agitation. Scorching problems are almost always with grain here. Grain particles stick, fruit particles slip.Shine0n wrote:The only way I can't see adding water is if you have a shit load of berries and don't need to or if you like der wo have a still with an agitation system. OR a thumper in which you could use a steam outfit.
And except you distill with an internal element, there are many ways to reduce the likelihood of scorching:
-Insulating the still helps distilling with low wattage.
-Stirring while heating up. Most scorches happen while heating up.
-Pouring the wash through a cotton bag and hang it in the boiler or place it on a stand (a ss grid and threaded rods for example).
In this way, imperialism brings catastrophe as a mode of existence back from the periphery of capitalist development to its point of departure. - Rosa Luxemburg
Re: Strawberries
I heat with propane but have heated a thick fruit wash without issues, I doubt I go electric just because I don't want to run in the house and my brew barn is without power.
Most of my fruit wash I do not strain very well and for the most part is pretty thick expecially the plums and peaches.
I do however get all the top (clear stuff) and add to the boiler what it takes to reach a full charge.
I do have the boiler and thumper insulated and heat very slow just to avoid a burnt bottom.
I also keep the boiler open to stir until things start moving along and preheat the thumper.
Most of my fruit wash I do not strain very well and for the most part is pretty thick expecially the plums and peaches.
I do however get all the top (clear stuff) and add to the boiler what it takes to reach a full charge.
I do have the boiler and thumper insulated and heat very slow just to avoid a burnt bottom.
I also keep the boiler open to stir until things start moving along and preheat the thumper.