%title Next batch.
%date 2005-03-14 03:44:24
:diary:livejournal:fossils:

<details text="MeadMeadMeadMeadMead."><summary>MeadMeadMeadMeadMead.</summary>
How does a lemon-lavender mead sound?  I'd probably also add a little cinnamon, and I might put in some other stuff I have to accentuate the flowery part (Iris Water, rose water, and violet flavored sugar (currently in candy form)), but I want the focus to be mostly on the lavender.  Also thinking of adding a touch of rosemary - not a whole lot - just to add a little something.

As for the <a href="http://ranna.ath.cx/meads.jpg">rest of my crap</a>, the orange-cinnamon-rosehip quick-mead came out delicious, if a little wine-y.  The Theamel needs more.. something.  Lots of aging, but I think more tea essence.  I might steep a tea-bag in there or something, if I can get it out again (if not, it's no big deal to rebottle it).  The minteglin has refreshing prospects, but still, needs more mint.  I might go buy a thing of spear-/pepper-mint and just push the sprigs into the bottle and call it decorative.  

If I had a more reliable source of wild bergamot (known to me as horsemint), I'd use that in a mead, but.. oh well.  Maybe I'll grow that at the new place (already have plans to get a very special plant next year).  Also, I'm thinking I might make a yarrow mead (carefully) sometime in the future, though maybe only a quart batch to experiment with (it could get bitter).  That'd be interesting, and have absinthe-like qualities.  Shh, don't tell.

List of ingredients I have to mess with in the future (plus some that I know I can get my hands on):
<lj-raw>
<ul>
<li>Cinnamon sticks</li>
<li>Fairly high quality vanilla beans</li>
<li>Nutmegs</li>
<li>Cardamom (in pods and ground)</li>
<li>Whole cloves</li>
<li>Lavender flowers</li>
<li>Allspice</li>
<li>Vanilla sugar</li>
<li>Violet sugar (in candy form)</li>
<li>Rose essence</li>
<li>Rose buds (I can get at Wild Oats)</li>
<li>Peppermint oil</li>
<li>Durian flavoring :oP~~~~~</li>
<li>Anise extract</li>
<li>Almond extract</li>
<li>Vanilla extract</li>
<li>Mulling spices</li>
<li>Fenugreek</li>
<li>Roast chicory</li>
<li>Roast and unroasted dandelion root</li>
<li>A wide variety of household products, including a diverse selection of teas and coffees.</li>
</ul>
</lj-raw>
Ought to keep me busy.

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