Mead for Everyone

Introduction to Mead

Mead is one of the oldest fermented beverages in the world. It predates history so no one is really sure where it was first made or by whom, but it has been written about in some of the oldest recorded literature. Literature like Beowulf where all the Vikings got together and drank mead in the “Mead Hall.” Mead has been found preserved in jars on ships that sank in the Mediterranean and is believed to be the root word of medicine as Hippocrates used mead as one of his foundation medicines. If you are interested, take a look at our previous post where we talk about the history of mead.

What is mead?

Mead is wine made from honey. Don’t let this mislead you though, it is wine because it is made in the same fashion as grape wine through cold fermentation, but it stands on its own as a unique drink that can be drank in its pure form or blended with any flavor imaginable. It is interesting to note that Hippocrates used mead in medicine because mead maintains a lot of the health qualities of honey. Meads also do not require sulfates in the fermentation process because of the preserving qualities of honey which make oxidation a moot point.

This is also cool because you can keep an open bottle around for weeks and the honey wine will not change like grape wines do after you open a bottle.

Whether you have never heard of mead or just read about it and have never given it another thought, you should try mead. There are plenty of meaderies in the United States though it is not always easy to find mead in your local wine store. The Internet has changed things a little in that if you live in a state that allows it, you can order mead online and have it shipped to your door.

Hidden Legend Winery is a good place to buy mead because they produce award wining meads and if you order three or more bottles you will get free shipping. Another option is to make your own mead by combining honey, water, and yeast. There are dozens of recipes available by just doing a simple search online. Whether you go to someplace like Hidden Legend Winery or make your own, you should try mead, it is arguably the oldest fermented beverage on the planet.