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Mead is an alcoholic beverage made by fermenting honey and water and sometimes flavored with spices, fruit, or hops. The best fruit for mead is one that has a high sugar content and can be easily fermented. This way, you can create a mead that is both sweet and strong.
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My Top Best Fruit for Mead Recommendations
Getting the best fruit for your mead should be your top priority because it can make all the difference in taste and quality. If you have ever had a mead that did not taste quite right, it is likely because the fruit was not of good quality. Therefore, ensure that the fruit you use is ripe and of the best quality to save you the trouble. Here are some of the top fruits that I recommend for mead:
Best Fruit for Mead Overall: 100% Authentic Oregon Black Raspberry Extract (60ML Liquid)
The 100% Authentic Oregon Black Raspberry Extract is my top pick for the best fruit because it is 100% authentic and of the highest quality. This fruit extract has a natural sweetness that is great for mead and easy to ferment. This extract is also great because it does not add artificial flavors or colors to your mead, which can sometimes happen with other fruit extracts.
The fruit extract comes in liquid form, making it easy to add to your mead without hassle. It also comes with a syringe for easy measuring. Unlike others on the list, the raspberry extract also contains a unique antioxidant mixture of synergistic compounds to protect your mead’s color, flavor, and freshness. It has a natural tartness that is ideal for mead and will not make your mead too sweet.
Like others on the list, this fruit extract is non-GMO, gluten-free, and vegan. This is great news for those who are looking for an all-natural product. It also comes in a 2-ounce bottle, which is very easy to store and use. The only drawback of this product is that you may need to use more than one bottle to flavor your mead, depending on how strong you want the raspberry flavor to be.
Pros
- 100% authentic and of the highest quality
- Does not add artificial flavors or colors
- Comes with a syringe for easy measuring
- Non-GMO, gluten-free, and vegan
Cons
- You may need to use more than one bottle to flavor your mead
- You may mess up the measurements if you do read the directions on the syringe
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Budget Friendly Fruit for Mead: Red Grape Concentrate
Red Grape Concentrate is made from red grapes elaborated in a special way to enhance the taste, making it ideal for mead. Like blood red orange, red grape concentrate is a good choice for mead because it is high in sugar and can be easily fermented. This way, you get a mead that is both sweet and strong.
In addition, the color, taste, and flavor are typical of fresh grapes, making it a great option for those who want to add a fruity flavor to their mead. The 34 oz size is great for making a gallon of mead. You can also buy it in a pack of four, which is ideal if you want to make multiple batches.
The grape concentrate is also GMO-free and does not contain any sulfites or preservatives. This is a great feature for those looking for a natural product. Like Collins Bordeaux Stemmed Cherries, it also has vitamins C and B6 and potassium and magnesium, which are ideal for a healthy diet. The only downside of this product is that some people find the taste too sweet. In addition, it can sometimes be difficult to find in stores.
Pros
- The color, taste, and flavor are typical of fresh grapes, making it a great option for those who want to add a fruity flavor to their mead.
- The grape concentrate is GMO-free and does not contain any sulfites or preservatives, making it a great choice for those looking for a natural product.
- The acidity level ranges from 0.8 to 1.2, which is ideal for mead.
- The Brix (sugar content) ranges from 66 to 68, which is ideal for fermentation.
Cons
- The taste might be too sweet for some people who like their mead on the dry side.
- It can be difficult to find in stores, so you might have to buy it online and wait for it to be delivered.
- If not well-made, the grape concentrate can add an unpleasant taste to your mead.
- Brix is 68
- Concentrate is three times the regular juice
- Mainly used to increase alcohol and body
Easy to Use Fruit: Vintners Best Fruit Wine Base – Apple
The Vintners Best Fruit Wine Base is a great fruit wine base for mead because it is easy to use and has a great flavor. This product is made from all-natural apple juice concentrate and has no added sugar, preservatives, or colorings. This is great news for those who want to make a high-quality mead and do not want to add any artificial ingredients.
Like others on the list, the apple juice concentrate is also GMO-free and gluten-free. This is ideal for people with dietary restrictions and wants to maintain a healthy diet. The product is also vegan and has no sulfites. The apple juice concentrate comes in a 128 oz bottle, which is 1 gallon. This is a good size for those who want to make a large batch of mead or wine.
Unlike red grape concentrate with an acidic level of 0.8-1.2, this one has a citric acid range of 0. 56-0.66. This is a good range for making mead because it will help to keep the pH levels in check and improve the shelf life of your mead. The product also has a Brix of 18.9, which is ideal for making a semi-sweet mead. The only notable downside of this product is that the sugar content is a bit low.
Pros
- The product is easy to use. All you need is to read the instructions and add the required amount of yeast.
- It is made from natural apple juice concentrate. There are no added colors, sugars, or preservatives, which is great news for those who want to make a high-quality mead.
- The product is GMO-free and gluten-free. This is ideal for people with dietary restrictions and wants to maintain a healthy diet.
- The product is also vegan and has no sulfites. Meaning it is gentle on the stomach.
- The product comes in a 1-gallon size, which is great for those who want to make a large batch of mead.
Cons
- It has low sugar content. You will need to add more honey or sugar to your mead recipe to achieve the desired sweetness.
- You need to have some knowledge about making mead before using this product. It is not the best choice for beginners.
- At times, the apple concentrate must be strained to get rid of the pulp. This can be a bit of a hassle for some people.
- 128 oz. Jug
- Resealable Jug with Tamper Resistant Seal
- Acidity: 0.61; 0.56 - 0.66 % w/w (as citric acid)
Flavorful Fruit: Collins Bordeaux Stemmed Cherries
Collins Bordeaux Stemmed Cherries are a great choice for those who want to add a flavorful fruit to the mead. This product is made from cherries grown in the Bordeaux region of France. The cherries are hand-picked and then stone-pressed to extract the juice. This process helps preserve the cherries’ flavor and prevents them from oxidizing.
Like others on the list, the product has a natural sweetness and an intense flavor to help make your mead taste amazing. It also has a deep red color that can add to the visual appeal of your mead. The cherries come in a jar weighing 1.07 pounds. This makes it easy to carry around and use when needed.
Like The red grape concentrate, this aone also contains nutritional information to help you make a healthy mead. The product has no added sugars, preservatives, or colorings. This is great news for those who want to make a high-quality mead and do not want to add artificial ingredients that can impact the flavor.
Pros
- The product is made from natural cherries and has no added sugars, preservatives, or colorings. This helps to check your health and improve the shelf life of your mead.
- The product has an intense flavor that can make your mead taste amazing.
- The product is easy to use and comes in a 1.07-pound jar. This makes it easy to carry around and use when needed.
- It also has a deep red color that can add to the visual appeal of your mead.
Cons
- Stemmed cherries can be a bit of a hassle to use. You will need to remove the stems before using them in your mead.
- The flavor of the cherries may be too intense for some people—especially those not used to drinking a strong flavor of mead.
- The color of the product can impact the color of your mead. So, you need to be careful when adding it to your batch.
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Features to Consider Before Buying a Fruit for Mead
| Acidity Range | Color | Brix | |
| Vintners Best Fruit Wine Base – Apple | 0. 56-0.66 | Red | 18.9 |
| Red Grape Concentrate | 0.8-1.2 | Dark Cherry Red | 66-68 |
| The Oregon Black Raspberry Extract | 0.8-1.2 | Black or blue | 10.0-12.0 |
When choosing fruit for mead, there are several features that you need to consider to get the best results. You don’t want to end up with a subpar product that will not add the desired flavor to your mead. Here are some of the most important features to look at before you flavor your mead with fruits:
The Flavor
The flavor is the most important thing to consider when choosing your fruit. You want to ensure that the fruit you select will add the desired flavor to your mead. There are a variety of fruits available, so you should have no problem finding one that will suit your taste.
For instance, the Vintners Best Fruit Wine Base – Apple and the Collins Bordeaux stemmed cherries are great choices if you’re looking for a fruit that will add a lot of flavor to your mead. They are both packed with intense flavors that will give your mead a unique taste.
The Acidity
The acidity of the fruit plays a vital role when making mead. The acidity helps preserve the mead’s flavor and prevents it from going bad. You want to avoid too acidic fruits as they can make your mead taste sour.
It is good to have an optimal level of acidity in your mead that will help preserve the flavor and shelf-life. For instance, the red grape concentrate is a great choice for those looking for a fruit with the perfect level of acidity.
The Sugar Content
You need to consider the sugar content of the fruit before adding it to your mead. The sugar content will impact your mead’s alcohol content and sweetness. The sugar also helps in the fermentation of the mead.
If you’re looking for a fruit that will add sweetness to your mead, then you should go for something like the Vintners Best Fruit Wine Base – Peach. This product contains natural sugars that help sweeten your mead and escalate your brewing process.
The Appearance
You must also consider fruit’s appearance when adding fruit to your mead. The appearance is essential as it makes your mead more visually appealing. You want to add a fruit that will give your mead a nice color.
No one wants a dull mead, so it is essential to consider the appearance of the fruit before adding it. For example, the Collins Bordeaux stemmed cherries are an excellent choice if you’re looking to add a pop of color to your mead. These cherries will turn your mead a deep red color that will impress your friends and family.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Should You Add Fruit to Mead?
The best time to add fruit to mead is during the primary fermentation process. This is because the yeast will eat the sugars in the fruit and create alcohol. The fermentation process can take weeks or even months to complete, so you want to ensure that the fruit is fully fermented before bottling your mead.
How Long Can You Leave Fruit in Mead?
You can leave fruit in mead for 4-5 days during the primary fermentation process. After the primary fermentation process is complete, you should remove the fruit from your mead to avoid any off-flavors. The days are enough for the fruit to ferment and add its flavor to your mead.
Do You Need to Remove Fruit from Mead?
Yes, you must remove the fruit from your mead after the primary fermentation process is complete. If you leave the fruit in your mead, it will start to break down and release tannins. These tannins will give your mead an astringent taste that is not pleasant.
Conclusion
Flovoring your mead using fruit is a great way to enhance the taste and appearance. You need to consider the fruit’s flavor, acidity, sugar content, and appearance before adding it to your mead. This way, you can be sure that the fruit you select will suit your taste.
