Mead, the alcohol better known as honey wine, is 'liquid history in a glass'

From foxnews.com

4 fun facts about the drink brewed for thousands of years

One of the easiest beverages for beginning home brewers is a basic mead. 

But what is mead? And where did it come from? 

1. Mead has many names and varieties 

"Mead, also known as honey wine, is one of the most incredible fermented beverages known to humans," Julia Herz, executive director of the Colorado-based American Homebrewers Association, told Fox News Digital in an email. 

Wine is fermented grapes, whereas mead is fermented honey – hence the name "honey wine." The ancient Greeks called mead "ambrosia" or "nectar," noted the American Homebrewers Association's website.

Mead can also be mixed with other beverages. A mead that is "mixed with beer or brewed with hops and malt" is known as a "braggot," whereas mead with fruit is known as a "melomel," the American Homebrewers Association said. 

"Hydromel is a watered-down version consumed in Spain and France," the website said. 

Mead can be mixed with different fruits and herbs to create different flavours. (Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

The type of honey used to make mead also plays an important role, Herz said. "Mead can also have fruit, herbs and spices added to fermented honey for added sensory reward. With hundreds of honey types, there is no end to experimentation and the possibilities."

2. Mead played a role in ancient religious traditions

Mead "was believed to be the drink of the gods and was thought to descend from the heavens as dew before being gathered in by bees," the American Homebrewers Association said. 

"Many European cultures also thought bees were messengers of the gods and preferred mead over wine in rites and grand ceremonies." 

A variety of ancient cultures, including the Egyptians, Celts, Greeks, Chinese and Vikings, all drank forms of mead, noted the website for the Irish meadery Kinsale Mead Co. Mead was especially important to the Vikings and in Norse mythology, noted the American Homebrewers Association.

Norse mythology states that warriors who reach Valhalla will be given mead. (Fine Art Images/Heritage Images/Getty Images)

Warriors who reached Valhalla – the warrior's heaven in Norse mythology – were promised "a draught of mead, delivered by divine maidens," as a reward, it said. 

Even today, a form of mead known as "Tej" or "T'ej" is the national drink of Ethiopia, according to the mead resource website "Got Mead?" Tej has been brewed in Ethiopia since the fourth century, it said.

3. Mead is one of the oldest forms of alcohol

In northern China, pottery dating from 9000 BC was found to have traces of mead, the BBC reported, meaning that mead is thousands of years older than the wheel. 

The beverage was first brewed in Europe between 2800 and 1800 BC, according to the BBC. Mead, Herz said, is "literally living liquid history in a glass." 

The earliest forms of mead, Herz said, were made from rainwater and natural fermentation processes. "Since the days that rainwater first diluted a honeybee hive inside the trunk of a tree and wild yeast fermented it, this 'wine' has made the world a better place," she said. 

                      Mead has been brewed for thousands of years and is older than the invention of the wheel. (iStock)

Even today, mead is still brewed with these same ingredients. 

The main ingredients in a traditional dry mead are just water, honey and yeast, the website for the American Homebrewers Association said. 

4. Mead (maybe) gave us the term ‘honeymoon’ 

After a wedding, it is very common for the newly married couple to go on a "honeymoon."

One theory of why this trip is called a "honeymoon" has to do with mead, Dictionary.com claims. The term "honeymoon" comes from the Old English term "hony moone," said Dictionary.com.

"There are several theories [about] where this name came from. The name may refer to the 'Mead Moon' or 'Honey Moon,' an old name for the June full moon," it said. 

At the time, mead was thought to increase fertility and bring luck to a couple, the website Batch Mead said — so newlyweds would drink mead for a full moon cycle.

https://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/mead-alcohol-better-known-honey-wine-liquid-history-glass

5 Interesting Facts About Mead You May Not Be Aware Of

From scoopearth.com 

For centuries, mead has been a popular honey-based alcoholic beverage many cultures worldwide enjoy. It’s quite fascinating when you start to peel back the layers of mead and discover its rich history and all the surprising facts about it. From its medicinal benefits to methods for fermentation—there’s so much more to learn! In this blog post, we’ll explore five interesting facts about mead that may surprise even those who consider themselves experts on this sweet type of wine. So grab your mug (or goblet!), settle in, and let’s get started!

What is Mead, and how is it made?

Mead is an alcoholic drink made from fermented honey and water. Depending on the recipe, small amounts of spices, herbs, or fruits may be added for flavour. To make mead, the honey is first diluted with warm water before yeast is added to start the fermentation process. The fermentation can take a few weeks to months, depending on the type of mead being made. Different variations of mead include melomels flavoured with fruit, cysers using apple juice or cider, and payment using grapes. Once the fermentation has ended and all sugars have been converted into alcohol, the liquid is usually clarified using products like pectic enzymes or fining agents like bentonite clay. After all these steps, the mead can either be left sweet or undergo secondary fermentation to turn it into a dryer version. Regardless of sweetness level or whether it has gone through secondary fermentation or not, brewing your own mead at home can provide you with a unique experience that keeps you coming back for more!

The history of mead and its connection to ancient civilizations

Mead, an alcoholic beverage made from fermented honey and water, has existed for thousands of years. It was enjoyed by ancient Greeks and Romans, who appreciated its delicate sweet taste and its range of subtle flavours depending on the type of honey used. Some say it was even a favourite of King Midas himself. Hieroglyphs in ancient Egyptian tombs tell us that mead was a sign of greatness, wealth, and power that began to spread across many civilizations from Mesopotamia to Scandinavia, with Nordic gods reportedly giving mead to their kings upon coronation. Even today, mead remains popularly consumed worldwide, highlighting its integral connection between past and present cultures.

Different types of mead available today

Mead is an alcoholic drink that has been around for centuries. It’s a beverage derived from fermented honey, water, and yeast, with possible additives like spices, fruits, or hops. Although it can be made in various styles and flavours, all mead falls into one of three main categories: melomel, metheglin, or traditional. Melomel mead is made with the addition of fruit juice or fruit purees. Metheglin blends honey with herbs and spices for an interesting flavour twist on the traditional mead. Lastly, traditional mead is made solely from honey, water, and yeast – the original recipe that has inspired all other varieties of mead we see today! With so many unique types to try, there’s sure to be one that fits perfectly for anyone’s palate.

Reasons why mead has become popular in recent years

In recent years, mead has become a unique alternative to beers, wines, and spirits. Mead is an ancient alcoholic beverage with roots in the Middle Ages, where it was made from fermenting honey and water. Its ability to adapt to modern flavours has seen its resurgence with those seeking something different from their regular alcohol consumption. Nowadays, hundreds of variations range from sweet and fruity to dry and savoury and even carbonated varieties. With this array of choices ever-growing, it’s easy to understand why so many are turning to mead for their next libation experience. There are many great sources available to buy mead online.

Health benefits associated with drinking mead

Mead can have a variety of health benefits. It is a natural drink produced by fermenting honey with water and various fruits or herbs to create a sweet alcoholic beverage. Many consume mead for its antioxidant properties that help flush free radicals from the body, preventing cellular damage and reducing inflammation. Mead also has immunomodulatory effects, which may improve your immune system’s function, helping protect your body against infection and disease. Its potent microbial effects make it beneficial in treating skin infections and minor wounds while aiding digestion with improved stomach acid production. With abundant essential minerals, vitamins, proteins, and fatty acids found naturally in honey, drinking mead offers various health benefits when enjoyed responsibly.

Concluding Thoughts

To conclude, mead is an alcoholic beverage enjoyed for centuries, from ancient civilizations to modern drinking connoisseurs. It has a fascinating history, and it can be found in many different forms today. There are several reasons why mead has become more prevalent in recent years, including its economic production costs and the various health benefits of drinking it. Whatever your opinion on mead may be, it certainly cannot be denied that it is a unique and flavourful drink that can bring joy and pleasure to anybody who drinks it!

https://www.scoopearth.com/5-interesting-facts-about-mead-you-may-not-be-aware-of/

UK: Ipswich residents are invited to summon their inner Viking on National Mead Day

From thelocalne.ws

IPSWICH — “I drive by you all the time and have never stopped in …”  

What are you waiting for? Maybe National Mead Day?

Mead, thought to be the oldest known alcohol, is fermented honey — honey wine. Honey can be fermented on its own for a traditional-style mead or fermented with locally sourced fruits to make melomel meads. 

At the 1634 Meadery, some fruit used comes from Ipswich’s Russell Orchards and Marini Farm. They, too, try to support small business.

In honour of National Mead Day (August 6), the 1634 Meadery will offer indoor and outdoor tasting flights, a science area with microscopes set up to view bees, wasps, flowers, and more, information to go about honey and bees, a free monarch butterfly egg giveaway (while they last), mead slushies, a chalk art area for kids, free varietal honey tasting, and free samples of Viking Victory Ice Cream made by Down River Ice Cream (21+) “and other surprise fun!”

Well-behaved children and dogs are welcome. The event runs at the Meadery on Short Street from noon to 6 p.m. on August 6.

http://thelocalne.ws/2022/07/25/residents-invited-to-summon-their-inner-viking-on-national-mead-day/