{"schema":{"type":"ModernMazerRecipe","version":"1.0"},"canonicalUrl":"https://modernmazer.com/recipes/buckwheat-mead","jsonUrl":"https://modernmazer.com/recipes/buckwheat-mead.json","slug":"buckwheat-mead","name":"Buckwheat Mead","summary":"A bold, robust traditional mead built on dark buckwheat honey. Buckwheat honey is one of the most intensely flavored varietals — earthy, molasses-like, and deeply complex. This recipe targets 13% ABV with a semi-sweet finish that balances the honey's natural intensity. 5-gallon batch.","heroImage":null,"heroImageAlt":"A glass of deep amber buckwheat mead beside a jar of dark buckwheat honey","author":"Modern Mazer","publishedDate":"2026-09-13","updatedDate":"2026-09-13","testingStatus":"development","evidenceStatus":"editorial","difficulty":"intermediate","style":"Traditional Mead","tags":["mead","traditional","buckwheat","varietal-honey","dark","robust","five-gallon"],"targetBatchVolume":5,"targetBatchVolumeUnit":"gallons","grossBatchVolume":5.5,"grossBatchVolumeUnit":"gallons","expectedProductionLoss":0.09,"targetABV":13,"originalGravity":1.098,"finalGravity":1.006,"sweetnessLevel":"semi-sweet","carbonationLevel":"still","ingredients":[{"id":"honey","name":"Buckwheat honey","quantity":14,"unit":"lbs","notes":"Dark, intensely flavored varietal. Raw preferred.","optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"linear"},{"id":"water","name":"Filtered water","quantity":4.5,"unit":"gallons","notes":null,"optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"linear"},{"id":"fermaid-o","name":"Fermaid-O","quantity":10,"unit":"g","notes":null,"optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"id":"fermaid-k","name":"Fermaid-K","quantity":5,"unit":"g","notes":null,"optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"id":"oak-cubes","name":"Medium-toast American oak cubes","quantity":1,"unit":"oz","notes":"Optional. Add in secondary for 2–4 weeks.","optional":true,"scalingBehavior":"manual"}],"yeast":{"name":"Lalvin D47","brand":"Lalvin","quantity":1,"unit":"packets","notes":"Enhances complexity; keep below 65°F to avoid fusel production."},"nutrientSchedule":[{"timing":"Day 0 (pitch)","nutrient":"Fermaid-O","quantity":2.5,"unit":"g","notes":null,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"timing":"24 hours","nutrient":"Fermaid-O","quantity":2.5,"unit":"g","notes":null,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"timing":"48 hours","nutrient":"Fermaid-O","quantity":2.5,"unit":"g","notes":null,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"timing":"1/3 sugar break","nutrient":"Fermaid-O","quantity":2.5,"unit":"g","notes":null,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"timing":"Day 0 (pitch)","nutrient":"Fermaid-K","quantity":5,"unit":"g","notes":null,"scalingBehavior":"manual"}],"equipment":["6-gallon fermentation vessel","Airlock and stopper","Hydrometer","Thermometer","Sanitizer","Auto-siphon and tubing","Bottles or keg"],"process":[{"step":1,"title":"Sanitize all equipment","description":"Prepare no-rinse sanitizer. Sanitize all vessels and tools.","note":null},{"step":2,"title":"Dissolve honey","description":"Warm 1 gallon of water to 100°F. Dissolve honey. Cool before adding to fermenter.","note":null},{"step":3,"title":"Build must","description":"Add honey solution to fermenter. Top up with filtered water to 5.5 gallons.","note":null},{"step":4,"title":"Take OG reading","description":"Record original gravity. Target approximately 1.098.","note":null},{"step":5,"title":"Pitch yeast and nutrients","description":"Pitch D47. Add Day 0 nutrients. Ferment at 60–65°F — critical for D47.","note":"D47 produces fusel alcohols above 65°F. Temperature control is essential."},{"step":6,"title":"Staggered nutrient additions","description":"Follow TOSNA schedule. Degas before each addition.","note":null},{"step":7,"title":"Monitor fermentation","description":"Check gravity every few days. Fermentation typically completes in 5–8 weeks.","note":null},{"step":8,"title":"Rack to secondary","description":"Rack off lees. Add oak cubes if desired.","note":null},{"step":9,"title":"Condition and clarify","description":"Condition for 6–12 months. Buckwheat mead benefits from extended aging.","note":null},{"step":10,"title":"Package","description":"Bottle or keg.","note":null}],"fermentationTemperature":"60–65°F (15–18°C)","fermentationTimeline":"5–8 weeks","conditioningTimeline":"6–12 months","packagingInstructions":"Ensure fermentation is fully complete before packaging. Extended aging is strongly recommended.","safetyNotes":["Never bottle a mead that has not fully finished fermenting.","D47 yeast must be kept below 65°F during fermentation to avoid fusel alcohol production.","Sanitize all equipment that contacts the must or finished mead."],"scalingNotes":"Honey and water scale linearly. Nutrient additions do NOT scale linearly — recalculate using TOSNA for any batch size change.","version":"1.0.0","changeHistory":[{"version":"1.0.0","date":"2026-09-13","summary":"Initial record. Phase 4C Batch 2.","changedBy":"Modern Mazer"}],"relatedRecipes":["traditional-mead-v1","traditional-wildflower-mead"],"relatedTutorials":[],"references":[{"title":"TOSNA 3.0 Nutrient Calculator","url":"https://www.meadmakr.com/tosna-calculator/","author":null,"year":null,"notes":null}]}