Mead is an alcoholic beverage that is made from honey, water, and yeast. Mead can be consumed either chilled or at room temperature. While Mead does not need to be refrigerated, chilling it will help to preserve its flavor and prolong its shelf life.
Mead does not need to be chilled in order for it to be safe for consumption. However, mead, unlike most other alcohols, can go bad if it is left without refrigeration. This normally takes about two weeks. Meanwhile, unopened meads can normally be stored for several years.
Below, we address some of the finer points concerning mead storage.
How long can Mead be kept?
Mead can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks after opening. If Mead is left out of the fridge, it will start to spoil within a few days. Mead that has been exposed to high temperatures or opened for an extended period of time may contain harmful bacteria that can cause food poisoning.
Can you drink Mead after 2 weeks?
Yes, you can drink Mead after two weeks if it has been stored in the fridge. However, Mead that has been left out of the fridge or that has been exposed to high temperatures may contain harmful bacteria and should not be consumed.
Does Mead need refrigeration?
Mead does not need to be refrigerated, but chilling it will help to preserve its flavor and prolong its shelf life. Mead can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks after opening. If Mead is left out of the fridge, it will start to spoil within a few days. Mead that has been exposed to high temperatures or opened for an extended period of time may contain harmful bacteria that can cause food poisoning.
Chilling Mead will also help to slow down the fermentation process, which can make it less sweet and more alcoholic. If you do not plan to drink Mead within two weeks, it is best to store it in a cool, dark place such as a cellar or pantry. Mead will keep for up to six months if stored in this way.
WHAT TEMPERATURE SHOULD MEAD BE SERVED AT?
Mead should be served at room temperature (60-75 degrees F) or slightly chilled (45-50 degrees F). The optimal serving temperature for Mead is around 55 degrees F. Like wine, Mead will warm up when it is heated and cool down when it is refrigerated. When Mead’s temperature changes, its flavor changes too. For example, if your Mead gets too cold, it will begin to taste sweeter than it would at room temperature. Chilling your honey wine too much can also mask the complex flavors of an artisanal batch.
WHERE TO BUY MEAD?
You can buy Mead online from many retailers both domestically and internationally. A quick search on the internet will provide you with a list of vendors that you can purchase Mead from. You can also buy Mead at a local wine or liquor store.
Should you drink mead cold or room temperature?
Mead should be served at room temperature (60-75 degrees F) or slightly chilled (45-50 degrees F). The optimal serving temperature for Mead is around 55 degrees F. Like wine, Mead will warm up when it is heated and cool down when it is refrigerated. When Mead’s temperature changes, its flavor changes too. For example, if your Mead gets too cold, it will begin to taste sweeter than it would at room temperature. Chilling your honey wine too much can also mask the complex flavors of an artisanal batch.
When does Mead expire?
Mead does not need to be refrigerated, but it will start to spoil within a few days if it is left out of the fridge. If you do not plan to drink Mead within two weeks, it is best to store it in a cool, dark place such as a cellar or pantry. Mead will keep for up to six months if stored in this way.
Ways to tell Mead has Expired
1. Bad Taste – If your Mead tastes musty, moldy, or rotten, it has gone bad and should not be consumed.
2. Clouding – If the Mead becomes cloudy or hazy, it has spoiled and should not be ingested.
3. Excessive sediment in the bottom of the container – Sediment is a natural part of wine aging, but if it appears in an excessive amount, the Mead may have spoiled. While this will not make you sick, it does indicate poor quality.
4. Fizzing or Gushing – Mead that starts to fizz or gush is a sign that the cork has been compromised and the wine is oxidizing. This will make the Mead taste bad and can also cause it to spoil.
5. Mold – Look out for any white, green, black, or blue fuzzy patches on the surface of the Mead, as this is a clear indication of spoilage.
6. Bubbles – If Mead begins to produce an excessive amount of bubbles, it is a sign that it is starting to decompose.
7. Spontaneous Combustion – Yes, this has happened with wines in the past, so if your Mead starts smoking or catches on fire, it’s time to toss it out!
How long can honey keep?
Honey lasts indefinitely when stored properly away from moisture and vermin, including insects that eat through food containers. Honey retains its flavor better than most other sweeteners, which makes honey a great choice for baking because recipes are less likely to need additional sweeteners.
The ideal temperature for mead fermentation
Mead fermentation thrives between 64-78 degrees Fahrenheit. Warmer temperatures will produce more alcohol and a sweeter mead. Lower temperatures will result in a slower fermentation process but will produce a drier mead. Mead makers often use a room in their house that is set to around 68 degrees Fahrenheit as the perfect environment for mead fermentation.
Does Mead go bad?
Mead does not need to be refrigerated, but it will start to spoil within a few days if it is left out of the fridge. If you do not plan to drink Mead within two weeks, it is best to store it in a cool, dark place such as a cellar or pantry. Mead will keep for up to six months if stored in this way.
Ways to tell Mead has expired bad taste, excessive sediment, fizzing or gushing, mold, bubbles, and spontaneous combustion. Mead can be enjoyed for years provided it is stored properly. As long as there are no signs of spoilage, Mead can remain a delicious drink for any occasion.
Deciphering Mead Label Terms
Mead is a wine made with honey and water as the main ingredients. The addition of yeast to the mixture starts the fermentation process that turns sugar into alcohol. Mead can be still, carbonated, or sparkling and ranges in sweetness from dry to sweet. There are many different types of Mead available on the market today, each with its own unique flavor profile.
When you are shopping for Mead, it can be helpful to understand some of the terminology used on wine labels. Here are a few key terms to look for:
“Honey Wine” – This term is used interchangeably with Mead and refers to any wine made with honey as the main ingredient.
“Meadow Sweet” – A descriptor often found on mead labels that indicate that the end product will have a sweet taste.
“Nutrient-rich honey” – Honey with larger amounts of mineral content will result in sweeter, more flavorful Mead. Nutrient-rich honey gives yeast the extra edge it needs to ferment high concentrations of sugar into alcohol.
This type of honey is best used for traditional or sparkling mead varieties because they are usually sweeter than other types of wines.
Mead Recipes
As long as you follow basic production steps, there are a few limitations on which kinds of fruit can be added to your mead recipe. For example, if you enjoy raspberry vinaigrette salad dressing but want an alcoholic beverage that tastes, try this raspberry vinaigrette mead recipe:
Ingredients:
1 qt. honey
1 cup raspberry vinaigrette salad dressing
1 cup red raspberry puree
2 tsp. yeast nutrient
1 packet champagne yeast
Procedure:
1. Add honey, raspberry vinaigrette, and red raspberry puree to a saucepan and heat until just warm. Do not boil.
2. pour mixture into a primary fermentation bucket and add yeast nutrient and champagne yeast. Stir well to combine.
3. Cover the bucket with a lid and attach an airlock. Ferment for 14 days.
4. Rack (siphon) the Mead into a clean secondary fermentation bucket and allow to ferment for at least 14 more days.
5. Bottle the Mead with a bottling bucket, priming sugar and water according to standard bottling procedures. Store bottles in a cool place for at least three weeks before drinking.
Mead is best consumed within six months of production but can last up to two years if stored properly. Mead that has been contaminated or spoiled may be cloudy, have an excessive amount of sediment, or fizz excessively when opened. While not harmful, these characteristics indicate that the quality of your Mead has deteriorated, and it’s time to make a new batch!
Conclusion
Mead does not need to be refrigerated, but chilling it will help to preserve its flavor and prolong its shelf life. Mead can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks after opening. If Mead is left out of the fridge, it will start to spoil within a few days. Mead that has been exposed to high temperatures or opened for an extended period of time may contain harmful bacteria that can cause food poisoning.
