All recipes
MelomelIntermediateDevelopment

Fig Mead

A rich, earthy melomel built on wildflower honey and dried Mission figs. Figs contribute a complex sweetness with notes of caramel, honey, and dried fruit. Dried figs are used for concentrated flavor and year-round availability. Targets 13.5% ABV with a semi-sweet finish. 5-gallon batch.

By Modern MazerPublished Version 1.0.0

Hero image — add via media slot

Batch size

5 gallons

Target ABV

13.5%

Fermentation

4–6 weeks

Conditioning

4–8 months

Responsible use: These recipes produce alcoholic beverages. Ferment and consume responsibly. Verify all quantities, equipment, and safety procedures before beginning. Consult local regulations regarding home fermentation.

Ingredients

  • 13 lbsWildflower honey
  • 4 gallonsFiltered water
  • 3 lbsDried Mission figs, stemmed and halved

    Dried figs provide concentrated flavor. Rehydrate in warm water before adding.

  • 1 tspPectic enzyme
  • 10 gFermaid-O
  • 5 gFermaid-K

Yeast

Lalvin Lalvin EC-1118 — 1 packets

Handles high-sugar must from dried fruit.

Nutrient schedule

TimingNutrientQtyNotes
Day 0 (pitch)Fermaid-O2.5 g
24 hoursFermaid-O2.5 g
48 hoursFermaid-O2.5 g
1/3 sugar breakFermaid-O2.5 g
Day 0 (pitch)Fermaid-K5 g

Process

  1. Sanitize all equipment

    Prepare no-rinse sanitizer. Sanitize all vessels and tools.

  2. Rehydrate figs

    Rehydrate dried figs in warm water for 30 minutes. Drain and add to fermenter.

  3. Build honey must

    Dissolve honey in 1 gallon of warm water. Cool. Add to fermenter with figs and remaining water to 5.5 gallons.

  4. Take OG reading

    Record original gravity. Target approximately 1.102.

  5. Pitch yeast and nutrients

    Pitch EC-1118. Add Day 0 nutrients. Ferment at 65–72°F.

  6. Staggered nutrient additions

    Follow TOSNA schedule. Degas before each addition.

  7. Monitor fermentation

    Check gravity every few days. Fermentation typically completes in 4–6 weeks.

  8. Rack off fruit

    Rack off figs. Press gently. Add pectic enzyme.

  9. Condition and clarify

    Condition for 4–8 months.

  10. Package

    Bottle or keg.

Packaging

Ensure fermentation is fully complete before packaging.

Safety notes

  • Never bottle a mead that has not fully finished fermenting.
  • Dried fruit adds significant fermentable sugars — monitor gravity carefully.
  • Sanitize all equipment that contacts the must or finished mead.

Scaling notes

Honey, water, and figs scale linearly. Nutrient additions do NOT scale linearly.

Batch Scaling Calculator

Enter your desired finished batch size to scale ingredient quantities. Press Enter or tap away to apply.

Target ABV

13.5%

Original gravity

1.102

Final gravity

1.006

Sweetness

semi sweet

Finished volume

5 gallons

Gross starting volume

5.5 gallons

Expected loss

0.5 gallons(9%)

Ingredient quantities at original batch size
IngredientQuantityUnitScaling notes
Wildflower honey13lbs
Filtered water4gallons
Dried Mission figs, stemmed and halved3lbs
Pectic enzyme1tsp
Fermaid-O10g⚠ review
Fermaid-K5g⚠ review

⚠ Ingredients requiring review

  • Fermaid-O: Ingredient "Fermaid-O" (id: fermaid-o) requires manual review before scaling. The original quantity is shown — do not use without recalculating.
  • Fermaid-K: Ingredient "Fermaid-K" (id: fermaid-k) requires manual review before scaling. The original quantity is shown — do not use without recalculating.
Scaled quantities are mathematical estimates. Fermentation performance, yeast requirements, nutrient schedules, vessel headspace, temperature control, and legal requirements must be reviewed for the target batch size.

References & sources

Version history

  • v1.0.0— Modern Mazer

    Initial record. Phase 4C Batch 3.