Oxygenating Science

  • PATRONS: Did you know we've a chat function for you now? Look to the bottom of the screen, you can chat, set up rooms, talk to each other individually or in groups! Click 'Chat' at the right side of the chat window to open the chat up.
  • Love Gotmead and want to see it grow? Then consider supporting the site and becoming a Patron! If you're logged in, click on your username to the right of the menu to see how as little as $30/year can get you access to the patron areas and the patron Facebook group and to support Gotmead!
  • We now have a Patron-exclusive Facebook group! Patrons my join at The Gotmead Patron Group. You MUST answer the questions, providing your Patron membership, when you request to join so I can verify your Patron membership. If the questions aren't answered, the request will be turned down.

Dv8Dug

NewBee
Registered Member
May 6, 2015
7
0
1
California
yescurvydog.com
I've searched numerous threads and haven't exactly found what I'm looking for. I know someone around here has the answer.

What exactly happens when oxygen is added past the 1/3 sugar break? Everything I've read says it's bad and have even referred to it as "Bruising" but not a scientific explanation to the effects.

Also...

Why is it that I only have to de-gas my melomels and not any metheglins that I make? Pectic enzyme don't do much on the melomels until I remove suspended CO2. The spiced mead's seem to clear with no problems.
 
After the 1/3 break the yeast might not use all the oxygen in the must which could lead to some oxidation. If the yeast don't need it, don't add it.
Melomels need pectic enzyme because some fruits contain pectin. Pectin makes a mead cloudy and the yeast eats it, clearing the mead. If the mead doesn't have fruits which are high in pectin you don't need pectic enzyme. Prickly pears, for example, contain very little pectin. A 100% prickly pear melomel became crystal clear for me after 6 months. I don't know about the interaction between CO2 and pectic enzyme
The bruising probably referred to fruits in a mead becoming oxidated. Mead is rather resistant to oxidation, but if there is a fruit cap this could oxidize and affect the taste of mead anyway.
Here is a good recent thread which discusses aeration http://www.gotmead.com/forum/showthread.php/25069-I-found-new-info-on-aeration?highlight=Aeration
 
The only time I've heard "bruising" in reference to mead or wine is when a bottle has been jostled around some (like shipping) and needs to rest before drinking. Me personally? I can't tell the difference between bruised and non-bruised.