Alternatives to Additives

[Zebedee]

Just wondering if there are any 'common' things that could replace these...

1 tsp tartaric acid
1 tsp malic acid
1 tsp grape tannin

I read somewhere that a cup of cold strong tea (black) can be used for Tannin..would it replace grape tannin ?



Cheers Zeb

[lockwood1956]

The tea can give you tannin, but as to malic and tartaric acid, then I don't think you can find easy replacements.
is there no supplier near you?

regards
Bob

[Zebedee]

yes ..I can get them

it was just curiousity on my part.

I am at the stage where I reproduce receipes word for word.
But in future,I would like to experiment..and it seemed more in keeping with the idea of homemade wines to use natural ingredients instead of chemicals where ever possible.


Zeb

[lockwood1956]

its good to experiment, but tartaric acid malic acid and tannin are not really "chemicals" as such, but are natural ingredients of fruits.

we add extra to make up for deficiencies.

regards
Bob

[lockwood1956]

just a further note
getting the acid balance right is probably one of the most important factors in determining whether the wine will be good or great

hope this helps
regards
Bob

[Zebedee]

its good to experiment, but tartaric acid malic acid and tannin are not really "chemicals" as such, but are natural ingredients of fruits.

we add extra to make up for deficiencies.

regards
Bob

So as I understand it......

A grape is balanced,having all the 'ingredients' needed to make a wine.

Some fruit /veg are low/missing in some ingredients.So have to be 'topped up '.

as an example..
Carrot Wine receipe by David

as well as those additive's,there are also bananas and raisins.

I guess he has included them to add items missing from carrots (or it would be called Carrot,Banana and Raisin Wine)

I hope you dont think I'm being perdantic....I'm just trying to increase my understanding.

Which leads me to the Question..What do bananas and raisins add to carrot wine ?

and

If tartaric acid and malic acid are natural ingredients of fruit, are there any fruit with a high concentation of them

Zeb

[lockwood1956]

Bananas and raisins are used to add body and vinosity, although the same effect can be had using grape concentrate.
I have a chart with acid content of fruits somewhere, I will find it and Post a link.

and feel free to ask as many questions as you like, (I don't think you are being pedantic).

regards
Bob

[lockwood1956]

Here it is

http://www.winesathome.co.uk/downloads/sugarandacid.pdf

It's always worth having a look in the downloads section, there are lots of resources in there that can help with these kind of questions......


please feel free to keep posting the questions though, as others can learn from the replies that get posted.

hope this helps
regards
Bob