Unlock Flavor & Aroma with our new SafMead™ range
Mead, also known as the ‘nectar of the gods’, has captivated hearts, minds, and palates for centuries. The key to creating this ancient beverage lies in the intricate fermentation of just three ingredients: honey, water, and yeast. To make a successful batch of mead, sourcing quality honey is, of course, the first step; however, it’s also important to select the best yeast. Often an overlooked ingredient, yeast plays a significant role not only in producing alcohol but also in shaping the final sensory characteristics of the mead.
The fermentation journey begins with choosing an appropriate yeast strain. This decision can significantly impact the final flavor and aroma of your mead, as each yeast strain has its own unique metabolic capabilities. These capabilities influence the production of esters, phenols, and other aromatic compounds that shape the flavor profile of the mead.
As the yeast gets to work, converting sugars into alcohol, a range of fruity, floral, or even spicy notes can arise depending on the yeast strain and fermentation conditions. Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains, for example, can impart delicate apple- or pear-like esters. The world of mead offers a vast array of sensory possibilities, with each yeast strain showcasing its own unique character.
Our solutions: introducing the SafMead™ range
To help mead makers produce unique recipes with nuanced flavor profiles, we’ve launched a new range of dedicated yeast solutions. These yeast strains were selected by Fermentis R&D through multiple microfermentations on various kinds of honey in partnership with a French research institute and mead industry players.
SafMead™ Classic was selected for producing well-balanced meads. A POF negative strain, it helps to reduce astringency and bitterness and does not produce spicy, barnyard or medicinal notes. In some types of honey, SafMead™ Classic is characterized by the production of acetate esters, making it ideal for obtaining floral and fruity meads.
SafMead™ Twist was selected for making aromatic meads with nutty and spicy notes. A POF positive strain, it produces clove and spicy notes, as well as high production of nutty notes. It also improves the sensations and persistence of fruitiness. The result is meads with a truly unique flavor profile.
Our SafMead™ range of innovative solutions was designed to give mead makers more choice and control in creating their desired style of mead. Both strains in the range have been shown to develop distinct flavors and related characteristics, depending on the recipe and processing parameters.
So, whether you’re a seasoned mead connoisseur or a new home brewer, we encourage you to experiment with one or both yeasts in the range to create truly unique and exceptional meads. We’d love to hear from you about your results!
Interested in our solutions or need technical support?
Contact us or find the closest distributor.