I posted this last night in the beermaking group and haven't gotten any replies. I'm not sure where mead questions belong. (While writing this, I just found the mead group. D'oh!)
Bob
-------- Original Message -------- Subject: Crabapples Date: Sun, 12 Sep 2004 19:20:03 -0500 From: zxcvbob Newsgroups: rec.crafts.brewing
I'm not sure if this belongs here or not...
There are crabapples everywhere this year; I've never seen so many. The best ones that are plentiful are about 1" in diameter with coral colored flesh, and are sour and rather tannic. I don't have an apple grinder or a cider press. What would be the best way to utilize these to make an interesting cyser or apfel (sp?) lambic?
If I quarter them and add to the fermenter, will the yeast break them up and suck out the juice? Should I freeze them first so they'll release their juice? Crabapples have so much pectin, I don't think pectin enzyme will help a lot.
Thanks, and best regards, Bob