Unlock Flavor & Aroma with our new SafMead™ range
Mead, also known as the ‘nectar of the gods’, has captivated hearts, minds, and taste buds 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 crucial to select the best yeast for the job. Often an overlooked ingredient, yeast plays a significant role not only in producing alcohol but also in shaping the final sensory characteristics of your mead.
The fermentation journey begins with choosing an appropriate yeast strain. This decision can significantly impact the final flavor, aroma, body, and drinkability of your finished 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 mead’s flavor profile. Choosing a yeast with appropriate alcohol tolerance, good nutrient efficiency, and flavor characteristics that complement your honey is the foundation of a successful batch.
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. 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 meads with desirable and 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 is a Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain selected for its ability to produce well-balanced meads. It helps to reduce astringency and bitterness and does not produce spicy or phenolic off-flavors. 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. It also stood out for its ability to improve the sensation and persistence of fruitiness. A POF-positive strain, it can produce spicy clove-like flavors, resulting in meads with a truly unique flavor profile.
Our SafMead™ range was designed to give mead makers more choice and control when creating their desired style of mead. Both strains in the range have been shown to develop desirable flavors and distinct characteristics, depending on the recipe and processing parameters.
So, whether you’re a seasoned mead connoisseur or a new home brewer preparing your first batch, we encourage you to experiment with one or both yeasts 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.