Yeast with a low alcohol tolerance

There are also plastic corks with a handle available that are quite inexpensive (under a dollar a dozen) and they can be reused indefinitely. And they allow the wine to be stored in an upright position. Bob "Please return your stewardess to her original upright position."- George Carlin-

I wanted to share my campden crushing hint.

I use an electric coffee bean grinder. Although mine is an old oster brand, it looks something like this one at the following web site.

2654

I use an apothecary type mortar and pestle. You can buy one at oriental import stores for $4 to $6 and they work great. Orientals use them to grind up their herbal medicines.

Ray

In message , Ray Calvert writes

I'm a cheapskate, so I put mine on a saucer, and crush them with the back of a flattish tea-spoon. Sometimes I don't spray *all* of the bits over the floor.

oriental

If you really want to treat yourself to a very, very nice tool, check out the Thai mortar and pestles here:

At the bottom of the page (which you'll want to read through), they have other types, too.

When I first started dreaming of making metheglins, I ordered an 8" Thai m&p, and it is awesome...a very satisfying experience. I use it every day for all kinds of things I never thought I'd be doing. I actually grind flax seeds now; before it was just too much of a hassle using a machine grinder then having to clean it.

Diane

Yea, Teach an old dog to suck eggs! My wife is Thai. We half a dozen or more of those things. Some are ceramic, others stone, and some are wood. They do work well and Thai's grind everything in them From hot peppers to dried shrimp.

Ray

Ray, I didn't mean to offend you by making the Thai mortar & pestle suggestion. I was making it to everyone, not just you. (I'll bet you eat like a king, you lucky dog you.)

Diane

Oh, goodness. I came across wrong again! I guess I should have put in some smiley faces somewhere. No offence taken. Just a left handed way of acknowledging your comments on Thai cooking utensils. Yes, I eat like a king and have for 35 years of marriage.

I do not know why the mortar and pestle is not a standard item in every kitchen. Almost all dry spices will keep better if not powdered. Grind them up when you use them and you will get more from them. One of the reasons Thai cooking is so spectacular.

Ray

Whew! That's good to know, Ray.

What's surprising to me is how therapeutic it is to grind with mine. Like meditating or doing yoga or something. I feel so much more connected to/tuned into the spice. It's almost a spiritual thing. That's gotta be good for the mead!