FAQs
Because honey, which is easier for the body to process than alcohol, is used to make mead, it is thought to be healthier than beer and wine. Additionally, mead contains the nutritional advantages of honey. Honey has inherent bacterial and antimicrobial properties.
What does mead do to your body? ›
Often referred to as the 'nectar of the gods,' mead has a rich history and potential health benefits. It contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties derived from honey, promotes cardiovascular health, and reduces stress. However, moderation is important due to potential health risks.
Why did people stop drinking mead? ›
Later, taxation and regulations governing the ingredients of alcoholic beverages led to commercial mead becoming a more obscure beverage until recently.
Is mead easy on the stomach? ›
Some types of mead are fermented to a point that preserves live yeasts and beneficial bacteria. These probiotics can be good for gut health, aiding in digestion and even improving the immune system.
How much mead should you drink? ›
If you are drinking your mead warmed up, we would recommend around 50ml of mead in a whisky glass. If you are drinking it cool, we would say between 100 – 125ml, mirroring a traditional small glass of wine serving.
What is healthier, mead or wine? ›
Because honey, which is easier for the body to process than alcohol, is used to make mead, it is thought to be healthier than beer and wine. Additionally, mead contains the nutritional advantages of honey. Honey has inherent bacterial and antimicrobial properties.
Does mead benefit from aging? ›
Aging allows the desired flavors to blend and come to the front, as well as having the advantage of allowing certain unwanted “off” flavors to dissipate. The following guidelines will help you age your Mead properly: Try to keep your Mead as close to 60°F as possible and avoid high temperatures.
Why do Vikings drink mead? ›
Lighter alcohol drinks (like light beer) were used in place of water as it was less likely to make people sick. Why did Vikings drink so much mead? It quenched the Viking thirst! Viking food was thought to be incredibly salty, as salt was used as a preservative and to ward off bacteria.
What can go wrong with mead? ›
If so, possible problems are: mead is too high a gravity for the yeast, pH is too low for the yeast, or sanitizers, preservatives or other yeast-killing/inhibiting substances are present. Prolonged, slow fermentation. Probably has insufficient nutrients. People used to think this was normal; it's not.
Does anyone drink mead anymore? ›
Mead isn't only the drink of sea-faring vikings and mummified royalty, it's also a popular choice today. There are now almost 250 meaderies in America and even mead festivals around the country celebrating the ancient beverage.
Since mead is an alcoholic beverage, overconsumption of any type of mead can have a negative effect on the liver. Moderate consumption is advised for benefits and less chance of negative impact on the liver.
Should you drink mead cold or warm? ›
Straight traditional mead is typically served chilled in a wine or co*cktail glass; but there is really no wrong way to drink it. From ice cold fruit meads to piping hot spiced meads, this versatile beverage can be served at a variety of temperatures depending on the style and ingredients.
How do I make sure mead is safe to drink? ›
How do I tell if a home-brewed mead is safe/ready to drink? If it smells funny - like bad milk or any kind of bad food - then don't drink it. Alcohol is a natural disinfectant; that's why beer and wine have been so popular throughout the millennia: they were cleaner than drinking water. Yeast won't kill you, either.
Should I refrigerate mead? ›
Since it consists of quite a bit of alcohol, you can store a classic mead in the pantry even after uncorking. It's okay to keep the mead in there as long as the bottle has been resealed tightly. However, to retain the quality of your mead for longer, we recommend storing it in the fridge.
How long is mead good once opened? ›
Traditional meads will retain freshness longer than meads which have a big fruit content, and meads with a higher ABV will retain freshness longer than meads with a lower ABV. Typically, a good rule of thumb is that an opened bottle should be consumed within 2 weeks, which is significantly longer than most wines.
How long should mead sit before drinking? ›
If you want to really fully ferment a high-alcohol mead and bottle it, those usually benefit from time in the bottle. If you're using less honey to make more of a beer-like mead, those can be fully fermented and drinkable in under a month. Other types can take a few months. It just depends on the amount of honey.
How is mead meant to be drunk? ›
How to Drink Mead. Straight traditional mead is typically served chilled in a wine or co*cktail glass; but there is really no wrong way to drink it. From ice cold fruit meads to piping hot spiced meads, this versatile beverage can be served at a variety of temperatures depending on the style and ingredients.
Can mead be unsafe to drink? ›
It is just like grape wine. There are federal and state standards for mead. It's good and it's perfectly safe.
Does mead spike blood sugar? ›
Mead's prebiotic content also lowers its glycemic index, or its effect on our blood sugar, resulting in a less intense sugar spike after you enjoy it. This is beneficial not only for those with metabolic concerns, but also for those of us who want to avoid energy spikes and crashes.
Is mead stronger than alcohol? ›
Another difference between beer, wine, and mead is alcohol content. Meads range between 6 and 20 percent ABV, depending on the fermentation; whereas wine and beer typically come in at a much lower ABV.