I've been picking dandelions and I'm starting a couple gallons of dandelion wine. This is my first go at it, any experiences out there? Hugs, Devlyn
I do not know much about dandelion wine, but I just thought I would say your title is quite witty, and it had me confused.
Thanks! I ended up with three quarts of just yellow petals. I simmered them 30 minutes, added 5 lbs of sugar, 2 cups of raisins, a can of white grape juice concentrate, the zest and juice of an orange and lemon and enough water to bring it up to two gallons. It is a murky mess, and it is cooled down enough for the yeast, so wish me luck. I'm off to make bubbles! Hugs, Devlyn
I have a nice active fermentation going on! All the petals and fruit are at the top now and there is a lot of turbulence in the liquid under it. Plenty of bubbles, it's fizzing nicely! I have some carboys coming in, just in time for secondary fermentation. I'll keep you posted, hugs, Devlyn
The wonderful source of only truthful information (the internet) tells me that when making a flower wine, brew a second batch with the must. The idea being that there is still flavor in it and you can use the second wine for blending if the first batch surprises you and comes out too strongly flavored. So I did that today, bringing me up to around four gallons of dandelion wine fermenting as we speak. Hugs, Devlyn
I've had friends who've made their own beer, but never wine.
Let us know how it turns out!
Quote from: Connie Anne on April 18, 2012, 04:52:22 PM
I've had friends who've made their own beer, but never wine.
Let us know how it turns out!
My uncle once made his own cider. Or tried to. Something went wrong in the fermenting process and the garage smelled like a dead skunk for a week.
Needless to say, no one touched the cider....
Quote from: Devlyn on April 15, 2012, 11:00:07 AM
I've been picking dandelions and I'm starting a couple gallons of dandelion wine. This is my first go at it, any experiences out there? Hugs, Devlyn
Come over to my backyard, you can have all the dandelions you want! The unusually heavy March and April rains here in socal have turned my yard into a weed garden. I have tried so hard to be organic, but I'm afraid I'll have to break out the Weed 'n Feed this year.
I love dandylions.. they are a sign of health. They cure caner etc etc.. good luck there devlyn...oh i have been collecting the seeds for growing more in other areas where they are sparse..
Quote from: Bexi on April 18, 2012, 05:07:02 PM
My uncle once made his own cider. Or tried to. Something went wrong in the fermenting process and the garage smelled like a dead skunk for a week.
Needless to say, no one touched the cider....
*in my best George Takei voice* Oh, myyy.
Hahaha exactly!
Dandelions are a good food source. The greens are edible before the plant flowers. After that they get bitter. The roots can be roasted to make a coffee substitute. And of course, the flowers can be used to make wine. Hugs, Devlyn
I do one or two batches (5 gallons) of beer a year, but we always do 6 gallons of both a red and a white (usually Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Gris). And we always keep some Mead (honey wine) on hand.
You need to try a batch of mead if you can get your hands on some Orange Blossom honey.
Dandelion Root Health Benefits :
* Dandelion root extract is unique, and is one of the only things found to help with chronic myelomonocytic Leukemia and it is effective in treating Breast Tumors
* Detoxification of vital organs : Because of the diuretic abilities of dandelion root, it is beneficial for flushing out the Liver, Kidneys and Gallbladder. İt works great to purify the blood and cleanse the system. This also makes it a good herb for Fighting İnfections.
It is also used for Arthritis, Osteoarthritis , Gout and Rheumatism
* Dandelion tea actively ameliorates disease—it is a potent disease-fighter—and helps the body heal, helps Boost İmmunity and Heart Disease, and age-related Memory Loss.
* Treating Anemia : Because of the high content of iron in dandelion root, it is beneficial for building red blood cells in the body to treat anemia.
* Treating Diabetes : Dandelion root has been shown to lower blood sugar levels in patients. In Europe, it's used to treat Type-1 and Type-2 diabetes.
* Digestive System : Dandelion root, when made into a tea, is beneficial for relieving constipation, flatulence and fullness.
*Treating High Blood Pressure : Dandelion root is a natural Diuretic. When combined with its high potassium content, it is an effective treatment to lower blood pressure.
* Dandelion tea helps reduce High Cholesterol.
* High Nutritional Value : Dandelion root contains vitamins A, B-complex, C and D as well as the minerals İron, Zinc and Potassium. This combination of vitamins and minerals also makes dandelion root a High Antioxidant Food.
* Mood Enhancer : Due to the high amount of vitamin B-complex, dandelion root can help to stabilize mood and Treat Depression.
*Dandelion root is also used to treat skin disorders such as Acne, Eczema and Psoriasis.
* It is very beneficial to Menopausal Women
* Laxative : Dandelion root is also a mild laxative and is used to help with regularity.
* Dandelion tea helps with weight control—especially with Weight Loss.
( Composting spent dandelion tea Blossoms, Leaves, and/or Roots, after drinking your dandelion tea, improves soil composition. )
( There are very few side effects linked to using dandelion root. Allergic Reactions to the herb have been reported. People taking prescription lithium, a diuretic, medication to lower blood pressure or medication to lower blood sugar should not take dandelion root. Women who are Pregnant or Breastfeeding should consult their doctor before taking this herb. )
I fooled around with homemade yeast carbonated sodas on a lark. I made ginger ale, cream soda, (both excellent) and an orange concoction that could only be termed "swill". Sassafras* grows rampant here, and I'd like to do a from scratch old fashioned root beer. Hugs, Devlyn *Cancer risk be damned!
Quote from: Amazon D on April 18, 2012, 05:12:42 PM
I love dandylions.. they are a sign of health. They cure caner etc etc.. good luck there devlyn...oh i have been collecting the seeds for growing more in other areas where they are sparse..
So you're the one!!! ;)
Quote from: Jamie D on April 18, 2012, 06:54:28 PM
So you're the one!!! ;)
BUSTED "DANDYLIONESS DANIELLE" sprinkles dandylion seeds all over the usa
Batch two was fizzing away nicely this morning and has already taken on a nice straw color. Winemaking is fun! Hugs, Devlyn
Quote from: Amazon D on April 18, 2012, 07:15:49 PM
BUSTED "DANDYLIONESS DANIELLE" sprinkles dandylion seeds all over the usa
Sort of like Johnny Appleseed, but with weeds.
Quote from: Devlyn on April 19, 2012, 01:10:42 PM
Batch two was fizzing away nicely this morning and has already taken on a nice straw color. Winemaking is fun! Hugs, Devlyn
I hope the home wine drinking is better.
"I drink no wine before its time."It's time!!
That would ruin 26+ years alcohol free. I only use wine for cooking. No idea what I'll be doing with four gallons of dandelion wine. Anyone want to join the Devlyn Wine Of The Month Club? No? Maybe I can ditch Johnny Appleseed and get the Dandylionness drunk! Hugs, Devlyn
Quote from: Devlyn Marie on April 19, 2012, 04:26:54 PM
That would ruin 26+ years alcohol free. I only use wine for cooking. No idea what I'll be doing with four gallons of dandelion wine. Anyone want to join the Devlyn Wine Of The Month Club? No? Maybe I can ditch Johnny Appleseed and get the Dandylionness drunk! Hugs, Devlyn
I forgot about that. Sorry.
You'll need a federal permit to sell it. Of course, you could become a 'shiner.
No worries. It is odd for a non drinker to make wine, I suppose. Did you mean to say I would need a federal permit to stay out of trouble in case I should get caught selling it? As for making 'shine, no thanks. Stills explode! I did taste some (no swallowing, kids) in West By God Virginia, and that was some smooth liquor! Hugs, Devlyn
Quote from: Devlyn Marie on April 19, 2012, 07:49:35 PM
No worries. It is odd for a non drinker to make wine, I suppose. Did you mean to say I would need a federal permit to stay out of trouble in case I should get caught selling it? As for making 'shine, no thanks. Stills explode! I did taste some (no swallowing, kids) in West By God Virginia, and that was some smooth liquor! Hugs, Devlyn
I recently watched the Ken Burns documentary about Prohibition.
Fascinating look at how people found ways to skirt the law. That family up your way in Hyannis Port apparently made a fortune rum-running.
Grapefruit Champagne
10-14 grapefruit
2 gals lukewarm water
7ilbs sugar
Wash the grapefruit well, cut into thin pieces and put them into a crock
Pour the lukewarm water and the sugar over the fruit, stir well
Fermentation should begin in a day or two if not add 1/2 oz yeast.
Stir the brew morning and night remove bubbly scum that rises to the top'
When fermentation has finished strain and let stand in glass containers for a week or two. Fine if needed
Bottle into champagne bottles, put a lump of sugar in each bottle cork and cage (important that it is explosive :laugh:
Ready to drink in about 2 months.
Or give away to friends and enemies.
That family was, and is, a bunch of crooks. That's why they did so well in politics. Hugs, Devlyn
Quote from: Devlyn Marie on April 21, 2012, 06:12:59 AM
That family was, and is, a bunch of crooks. That's why they did so well in politics. Hugs, Devlyn
True, true.
I racked this wine again last weekend, fermentation had almost stopped before the transfer. Now I'm seeing no bubbles or airlock activity. It should start to clear now. I'll keep you posted, hugs, Devlyn
I haven't done anything with this batch for months, I pulled it out for racking, and it threw very little sediment since last time. The wine cleared to a beautiful golden color on the two gallons of first press, and a delicate yellow on the second press. I will bottle this next month if it shows no further signs of fermentation.
Good luck! Seems a bit like painting blind... do you rely on another's taste-buds to guide your hand?
First press on the left, second on the right.
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I taste it during the process, it's raw wine, so not very pleasant anyway. I'm checking for off tastes, sweetness, and alcohol content. I have a friend who loved my mango wine, I'm doing that one again.
It looks lovely, but reminds me of my 24-hour kidney clearance test! :o
Give me your best shot with the doctor jokes, it's finished and bottled. I had trouble with the cork, so this bottle will be used first. I present my 2012 Devlyn's Dandelion Wine. Crack a bottle of this, and someone is going to be swinging from the chandelier naked!
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