Mead is one of the oldest known fermented beverages, with origins dating back as far as 7000 BC. Over the centuries, different cultures have added their unique twists to this honey-based drink, leading to the creation of several subtypes of mead.
Among them, Mead, Cyser, Braggot, and Melomel stand out as the most popular and intriguing. But what distinguishes one from the other?
Let’s delve into this sweet adventure and discover the secrets behind these meads.
“Ordinary” Mead
At its core, mead is a simple yet versatile brew, made from the fermentation of honey, water, and yeast. The balance between these three ingredients determines the mead’s sweetness, dryness, and alcohol content.
When brewing mead, the quality of honey plays a significant role in the final product. I always recommend using raw, unprocessed honey from a local beekeeper, which ensures freshness and a rich, distinct flavor profile.
The Versatility of Mead
Mead’s versatility is one of its most exciting features. From its base form, it can transform into a variety of styles, including sparkling mead, still mead, or sack mead (a sweeter, stronger version).
Mead can range from sweet to dry, and from light to full-bodied, depending on the brewing process and the proportion of honey used. A higher honey-to-water ratio results in a sweeter, more alcoholic mead, while a lower ratio produces a drier, lighter mead.
Cyser
Cyser is a particular type of mead that combines honey and apple juice or cider. The apple’s tartness and the honey’s sweetness create a delightful balance, resulting in a complex, full-bodied beverage.
Crafting a Cyser
Creating a Cyser involves mixing honey with apple juice or cider and then adding yeast for fermentation. The type of apples used can greatly influence the final taste. I personally love using a mix of sweet and tart apples to get that perfect blend of flavors.
Why is it called cyser?
Cyser is called so because it is a specific type of mead that is made by fermenting a mixture of honey and apple juice or cider. The term “cyser” is derived from combining the words “cider” and “mead,” reflecting the combination of these two ingredients in the beverage.
What is the difference between mead and cyser?
Mead and cyser are both types of alcoholic beverages, but they differ in their main ingredient. Mead is made from fermenting honey, while cyser is a specific type of mead that includes apple juice or cider as an additional ingredient. So, the key distinction lies in the inclusion of apple juice or cider in cyser, giving it a unique flavor profile compared to traditional mead.
Braggot
Braggot is a fascinating blend of mead and beer. It marries the sweetness of honey with the bitterness of hops, creating a uniquely flavored beverage.
The Art of Brewing Braggot
Making Braggot involves brewing a batch of beer and a batch of mead separately, then blending them together. The type of malt and hops used in the beer, as well as the honey’s quality and flavor, can significantly impact the final product. It’s always a fun experiment to try different combinations and see what flavors emerge.
Melomel
Melomel is a type of mead that incorporates fruits other than apples. It’s a fantastic way to experiment with seasonal fruits and create unique, flavorful brews.
The Creative Process of Melomel
Making Melomel involves adding fruits to the traditional mead recipe. The type of fruit used can greatly alter the taste, color, and aroma of the mead.
Some of my personal favorites include berry Melomels and citrus Melomels, both of which offer a refreshing twist to traditional mead.
What is the difference between mead and melomel?
Mead and melomel are both types of alcoholic beverages, but they differ in their ingredients. Mead is a traditional alcoholic drink made by fermenting honey with water. It has a distinct honey flavor.
On the other hand, melomel is a variety of mead that includes the addition of fruits, such as berries or apples, during the fermentation process. This infusion of fruits gives melomel a fruity taste, in addition to the honey notes.
What are some other types of mead?
Mead is a versatile beverage that can be made with a variety of ingredients and techniques.
In addition to traditional mead, melomel, cyser, and braggot, there are several other varieties of mead that you might be interested in:
- Pyment: Pyment is a type of mead that is made by fermenting honey with grapes or grape juice. This results in a blend of flavors from both the honey and the grapes, creating a unique and balanced beverage.
- Metheglin: Metheglin is mead that has been infused with spices and herbs. The addition of ingredients like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and various herbs can create a wide range of aromatic and flavorful meads.
- Acerglyn: Acerglyn is a mead made with honey and maple syrup. The rich sweetness of the honey combines with the distinct flavor of maple to produce a unique and often complex mead.
- Bochet: Bochet mead is made by caramelizing the honey before fermentation. This gives the mead a darker color and a robust, toasty flavor profile with notes of caramel and toffee.
- Rhodomel: Rhodomel is mead that is infused with rose petals or rose hips. This infusion imparts a floral aroma and a delicate taste of roses to the mead.
- Cyserkin: Cyserkin is a blend of mead, cider, and fruit. It combines the characteristics of mead and cider, often with the addition of fruits to enhance the flavor complexity.
- Morat: Morat is a type of mead that is made by fermenting honey with mulberries. The resulting mead can range in color from light pink to deep red, and it carries the flavor of both the honey and the mulberries.
- Capsicumel: Capsicumel is mead that is infused with chili peppers or other hot peppers. This variety can offer a unique combination of sweet and spicy flavors.
- Perry Pyment: Perry pyment is a blend of mead and perry (pear cider). The sweetness of the mead and the fruity notes of the perry come together in this hybrid beverage.
- Tej: Tej is a traditional Ethiopian honey wine that often includes the addition of gesho leaves (buckthorn) for bitterness and flavor. It has a long history and cultural significance in Ethiopia.
- Melomel Plus: Similar to melomel, this variety incorporates additional fruits beyond the standard definition, allowing for more complex fruit combinations.
- Experimental and Specialty Meads: Mead makers often create unique experimental and specialty meads by incorporating unconventional ingredients, aging processes, and techniques. These meads can range from chocolate-infused meads to ones aged in whiskey barrels, pushing the boundaries of flavor and creativity.
These are just a few examples of the diverse world of mead varieties. Mead enthusiasts and producers are constantly exploring new combinations of ingredients and techniques to create exciting and innovative flavors.
In Conclusion
Mead, Cyser, Braggot, and Melomel are all variations of the ancient and revered beverage of mead. Each brings a unique flavor profile and brewing process, offering endless opportunities for creativity and experimentation.
10 Key Facts About Mead and Its Variations:
1. Mead is a fermented beverage made from honey, water, and yeast.
2. The quality and quantity of honey used can greatly impact the mead’s flavor and alcohol content.
3. Cyser is a type of mead that combines honey and apple juice or cider.
4. The type of apples used in Cyser can alter its taste significantly.
5. Braggot is a blend of mead and beer, offering a unique balance of sweetness and bitterness.
6. The type of malt and hops used in the beer part of Braggot can greatly influence its flavor.
7. Melomel is a mead variation that incorporates fruits other than apples.
8. The type of fruit used in Melomel can dramatically change its taste, color, and aroma.
9. Mead and its variations are incredibly versatile, offering endless opportunities for experimentation.
10. Mead is one of the oldest known fermented beverages, with a rich history dating back thousands of years.
In my personal experience as a brewer, I’ve found mead and its variations to be among the most rewarding beverages to craft. The process allows for a great deal of creativity, and the results are always unique and delicious. Whether you’re a seasoned brewer or a novice, I highly recommend giving these mead variations a try. You won’t be disappointed!
FAQs
What’s the difference between a cyser and a melomel?
A cyser is a type of mead that is made by fermenting a mixture of honey and apple juice, while a melomel is a mead that is made by fermenting honey with various fruits other than apples.
Why is mead not popular anymore?
Mead is not as popular as it once was due to a variety of reasons. One primary factor is the rise of other alcoholic beverages like beer, wine, and spirits, which have gained more prominence in recent times. Additionally, mead production requires specific ingredients and a longer fermentation process, making it less commercially viable compared to other drinks. The taste of mead, which can be quite sweet and honey-forward, may also be less appealing to modern palates that prefer drier and less sugary flavors. Consequently, these factors have contributed to mead’s decline in popularity.
