Sima, a traditional Finnish mead prepared during spring and early summer festivals, holds a special place in Finnish culture. It is a refreshing and flavorful beverage with a light, sparkling texture, best enjoyed chilled. Brewing your homemade sima is an exciting experience that allows you to customize the sweetness and spice levels to suit your taste. Whether you are a seasoned homebrewer or a beginner eager to explore the world of fermentation, this article will guide you through the process of creating a delicious and authentic sima that will delight your senses and your guests.
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SIMA (FINNISH SPRING MEAD)
The site where I found this said it's fine for kids if they drink it as soon as the raisins start to float, but it becomes slightly intoxicating as it ferments.
Provided by Scarlett516
Categories Beverages
Time 18m
Yield 20 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Bring the water to a steady boil.
- Meanwhile, use a zester or vegetable peeler to remove the yellow outer rind from the lemons and place in a large non-metal, heatproof container.
- Peel, or trim, off the white rind and discard.
- Slice the lemons and place in the container with the zest. Add the brown sugar and white sugar.
- When the water boils, add it to the container with the lemons and sugar.
- Let it cool to lukewarm, then stir in the yeast.
- Cover and allow to sit out at room temperature for 24-48 hours, or until surface begins to bubble slightly.
- Strain the liquid into clean containers about 1 quart in size. Add 5-6 raisins and 1 tsp sugar to each container. Seal tightly and refrigerate 2-5 days, or until raisins float to the surface.
- Keep refrigerated and serve cool.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 44.3, Sodium 6.3, Carbohydrate 12, Fiber 0.5, Sugar 10.7, Protein 0.2
SIMA - FINNISH MEAD
Sima is a sweat mead that is an essential seasonal brew connected with the Finnish Vappu festival. It is usually spiced by adding both the flesh and rind of a lemon. During secondary fermentation raisins are added to control the amount of sugars and to act as an indicator of readiness for consumption - they will rise to the top of the bottle when the drink is ready. Sima is usually accompanied by munkkeja or Tippaleivät (donuts and other pastries). Mead is ready after 2-3 days.
Provided by NcMysteryShopper
Categories Beverages
Time P2DT15m
Yield 12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Wash the lemons and peel them thinly. Remove the pith. Slice the lemons and place them with the peel and sugar in a sufficiently large vessel.
- Bring half of the water to the boil and pour it over the lemons, peel, honey or molasses and sugar. Stir and leave to stand covered for a while. Add the rest of the water cold. When the liquid is lukewarm add the yeast.
- Keep the mead at room temperature until it starts to ferment, i.e. about one day. Put a couple of raisins and 1 tsp of sugar into clean bottles, and strain the mead into the bottles. Loosely cork the bottles and store them in a cool place. The mead is ready when the raisins rise to the surface.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 261.2, Fat 0.1, Sodium 14.2, Carbohydrate 67.6, Fiber 0.3, Sugar 63.8, Protein 0.2
Tips:
- Always start with a clean fermentation vessel and utensils. This will help to prevent contamination and ensure a successful fermentation.
- Use filtered or distilled water for the mead. This will help to remove any impurities that could affect the flavor or quality of the mead.
- Pitch the yeast at the correct temperature. The ideal temperature for fermenting mead is between 68-75°F (20-24°C). If the temperature is too high, the yeast will not be able to ferment properly and the mead may develop off-flavors.
- Keep the mead in a dark place during fermentation. This will help to prevent the development of light-struck flavors.
- Be patient! Mead takes time to ferment and age. It is important to allow the mead to ferment for at least 6 months, and preferably longer. This will allow the flavors to develop and mature.
Conclusion:
Sima is a delicious and refreshing traditional Finnish mead that is easy to make at home. By following the tips above, you can make a delicious batch of sima that you and your friends will enjoy. So next time you are looking for a unique and flavorful drink to try, give sima a try!
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