{"schema":{"type":"ModernMazerRecipe","version":"1.0"},"canonicalUrl":"https://modernmazer.com/recipes/manuka-mead","jsonUrl":"https://modernmazer.com/recipes/manuka-mead.json","slug":"manuka-mead","name":"Mānuka Mead","summary":"A distinctive, medicinal-forward traditional mead built on New Zealand Mānuka honey. Mānuka honey has a strong, herbal, slightly bitter character with well-documented antimicrobial properties. This recipe targets 13% ABV with a dry finish that lets the honey's unique terroir express fully. 5-gallon batch.","heroImage":null,"heroImageAlt":"A glass of amber mānuka mead beside a jar of dark New Zealand mānuka honey","author":"Modern Mazer","publishedDate":"2026-09-13","updatedDate":"2026-09-13","testingStatus":"development","evidenceStatus":"editorial","difficulty":"intermediate","style":"Traditional Mead","tags":["mead","traditional","manuka","varietal-honey","new-zealand","medicinal","five-gallon"],"targetBatchVolume":5,"targetBatchVolumeUnit":"gallons","grossBatchVolume":5.5,"grossBatchVolumeUnit":"gallons","expectedProductionLoss":0.09,"targetABV":13,"originalGravity":1.098,"finalGravity":1.002,"sweetnessLevel":"dry","carbonationLevel":"still","ingredients":[{"id":"honey","name":"Mānuka honey (UMF 10+ or higher)","quantity":14,"unit":"lbs","notes":"Premium New Zealand mānuka. UMF rating indicates potency.","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"}],"yeast":{"name":"Lalvin EC-1118","brand":"Lalvin","quantity":1,"unit":"packets","notes":"Robust strain; handles the antimicrobial properties of mānuka honey."},"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 gently. Cool before adding.","note":"Avoid overheating mānuka honey — high heat degrades its unique compounds."},{"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 EC-1118. Add Day 0 nutrients. Ferment at 65–72°F.","note":"Mānuka honey's antimicrobial properties may slow fermentation onset. Be patient."},{"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 may take longer than typical — 6–10 weeks.","note":null},{"step":8,"title":"Rack to secondary","description":"Rack off lees. Minimize oxygen exposure.","note":null},{"step":9,"title":"Condition and clarify","description":"Condition for 6–12 months. Extended aging softens the medicinal character.","note":null},{"step":10,"title":"Package","description":"Bottle or keg.","note":null}],"fermentationTemperature":"65–72°F (18–22°C)","fermentationTimeline":"6–10 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.","Mānuka honey's antimicrobial properties may inhibit yeast — monitor fermentation closely.","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","buckwheat-mead"],"relatedTutorials":[],"references":[{"title":"TOSNA 3.0 Nutrient Calculator","url":"https://www.meadmakr.com/tosna-calculator/","author":null,"year":null,"notes":null}]}