Nowadays, many people want to move away from anything mass produced and opt instead for something they have made themselves. After all, if you know exactly how much effort went into the production process, you'll appreciate the end result much more. Beer, cheese, bread and preserves are just some of the things that you can make at home but if you like a challenge and doing something unusual, you may want to invest in a pot distiller and a good moonshine recipe.
Most people think of moonshine as something that is made by farmers in the Appalachian Mountains. It's a type of liquor that tends to be so strong that drinking it feels like pouring fire down your throat. However, similar versions are made all over the world and have different names. What they all have in common is that they're usually distilled at home and contain a lot of alcohol.
To make a moonshine-type liquor, you first need to have the mash from which the drink will be distilled. The Appalachian version is made with corn mash, which contains water, yeast, sugar and, as its name suggests, corn. The amount of sugar will determine the alcohol content while the corn provides the flavor. The yeast allows the fermentation process to start.
When the mash has fermented for around four days, it forms a beer-like liquid which you can strain and drink. If you choose to take it a step further, though, you place the fermented mash in a distilling pot and heat it. Vapors will rise into the condenser part of the pot and when they've cooled, they turn liquid again. This clear, distilled liquid is extremely high in alcohol.
Not every version of moonshine uses corn mash. In Scotland, for example, wheat or barley is used, while in Ireland, Finland and Iceland, potatoes are the ingredient of choice. Russians may opt for beets and in many Asian countries rice is used. Sometimes distillers in the Democratic Republic of Congo use cassava or even plantains.
Using fruit as your main ingredient can give a special flavor to your liquor. In much of Europe, you will find versions made from cherries, peaches, apricots or even nuts. Eastern Europeans often choose to use plums and in the countries of the Caribbean, homemade liquors distilled from sugar cane are very common.
Many versions of moonshine are made with grapes. You'll find these especially in areas where wine production is common too and grapes are plentiful. In South Africa, a high-quality grape-based firewater with a name that translates as 'white lightning' can even be bought legally in liquor stores and at farmer's markets.
Technically, you can't really call it 'moonshine' if it has been produced legally. Most countries have very strict regulations about producing alcohol at home. However, it is possible to get a distilling license to legally produce liquor in small batches, so check the local laws before you invest in that distilling pot.
Most people think of moonshine as something that is made by farmers in the Appalachian Mountains. It's a type of liquor that tends to be so strong that drinking it feels like pouring fire down your throat. However, similar versions are made all over the world and have different names. What they all have in common is that they're usually distilled at home and contain a lot of alcohol.
To make a moonshine-type liquor, you first need to have the mash from which the drink will be distilled. The Appalachian version is made with corn mash, which contains water, yeast, sugar and, as its name suggests, corn. The amount of sugar will determine the alcohol content while the corn provides the flavor. The yeast allows the fermentation process to start.
When the mash has fermented for around four days, it forms a beer-like liquid which you can strain and drink. If you choose to take it a step further, though, you place the fermented mash in a distilling pot and heat it. Vapors will rise into the condenser part of the pot and when they've cooled, they turn liquid again. This clear, distilled liquid is extremely high in alcohol.
Not every version of moonshine uses corn mash. In Scotland, for example, wheat or barley is used, while in Ireland, Finland and Iceland, potatoes are the ingredient of choice. Russians may opt for beets and in many Asian countries rice is used. Sometimes distillers in the Democratic Republic of Congo use cassava or even plantains.
Using fruit as your main ingredient can give a special flavor to your liquor. In much of Europe, you will find versions made from cherries, peaches, apricots or even nuts. Eastern Europeans often choose to use plums and in the countries of the Caribbean, homemade liquors distilled from sugar cane are very common.
Many versions of moonshine are made with grapes. You'll find these especially in areas where wine production is common too and grapes are plentiful. In South Africa, a high-quality grape-based firewater with a name that translates as 'white lightning' can even be bought legally in liquor stores and at farmer's markets.
Technically, you can't really call it 'moonshine' if it has been produced legally. Most countries have very strict regulations about producing alcohol at home. However, it is possible to get a distilling license to legally produce liquor in small batches, so check the local laws before you invest in that distilling pot.
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