{"schema":{"type":"ModernMazerRecipe","version":"1.0"},"canonicalUrl":"https://modernmazer.com/recipes/wildflower-show-mead","jsonUrl":"https://modernmazer.com/recipes/wildflower-show-mead.json","slug":"wildflower-show-mead","name":"Wildflower Show Mead","summary":"A competition-oriented show mead built on a single-source wildflower honey. No adjuncts — honey, water, yeast, and nutrients only. Designed to showcase the terroir and character of the honey. Targets 13% ABV with a semi-dry finish. 3-gallon batch.","heroImage":null,"heroImageAlt":"A glass of crystal-clear golden show mead beside a honey jar and wildflowers","author":"Modern Mazer","publishedDate":"2026-09-13","updatedDate":"2026-09-13","testingStatus":"development","evidenceStatus":"editorial","difficulty":"intermediate","style":"Traditional Mead","tags":["mead","traditional","show-mead","competition","wildflower","terroir","three-gallon"],"targetBatchVolume":3,"targetBatchVolumeUnit":"gallons","grossBatchVolume":3.3,"grossBatchVolumeUnit":"gallons","expectedProductionLoss":0.09,"targetABV":13,"originalGravity":1.098,"finalGravity":1.005,"sweetnessLevel":"dry","carbonationLevel":"still","ingredients":[{"id":"honey","name":"Single-source wildflower honey","quantity":8,"unit":"lbs","notes":"Use a single-source honey from a known apiary for best terroir expression.","optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"linear"},{"id":"water","name":"Filtered water (low mineral content)","quantity":2.7,"unit":"gallons","notes":"Use RO or low-mineral filtered water to let honey character shine.","optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"linear"},{"id":"fermaid-o","name":"Fermaid-O","quantity":6,"unit":"g","notes":null,"optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"id":"fermaid-k","name":"Fermaid-K","quantity":3,"unit":"g","notes":null,"optional":false,"scalingBehavior":"manual"}],"yeast":{"name":"Lalvin D47","brand":"Lalvin","quantity":1,"unit":"packets","notes":"Enhances honey character; keep below 65°F."},"nutrientSchedule":[{"timing":"Day 0 (pitch)","nutrient":"Fermaid-O","quantity":1.5,"unit":"g","notes":null,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"timing":"24 hours","nutrient":"Fermaid-O","quantity":1.5,"unit":"g","notes":null,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"timing":"48 hours","nutrient":"Fermaid-O","quantity":1.5,"unit":"g","notes":null,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"timing":"1/3 sugar break","nutrient":"Fermaid-O","quantity":1.5,"unit":"g","notes":null,"scalingBehavior":"manual"},{"timing":"Day 0 (pitch)","nutrient":"Fermaid-K","quantity":3,"unit":"g","notes":null,"scalingBehavior":"manual"}],"equipment":["4-gallon fermentation vessel","Airlock and stopper","Hydrometer","Thermometer","Sanitizer","Auto-siphon and tubing","Wine bottles"],"process":[{"step":1,"title":"Sanitize all equipment","description":"Prepare no-rinse sanitizer. Sanitize all vessels and tools.","note":null},{"step":2,"title":"Build honey must","description":"Dissolve honey in 0.5 gallon of warm water. Cool. Add to fermenter with remaining water to 3.3 gallons.","note":null},{"step":3,"title":"Take OG reading","description":"Record original gravity. Target approximately 1.098.","note":null},{"step":4,"title":"Pitch yeast and nutrients","description":"Pitch D47. Add Day 0 nutrients. Ferment at 60–65°F.","note":"D47 must be kept below 65°F."},{"step":5,"title":"Staggered nutrient additions","description":"Follow TOSNA schedule. Degas before each addition.","note":null},{"step":6,"title":"Monitor fermentation","description":"Check gravity every few days. Fermentation typically completes in 4–6 weeks.","note":null},{"step":7,"title":"Rack to secondary","description":"Rack off lees.","note":null},{"step":8,"title":"Condition and clarify","description":"Condition for 6–12 months. Show mead benefits from extended aging.","note":null},{"step":9,"title":"Package","description":"Bottle in wine bottles.","note":null}],"fermentationTemperature":"60–65°F (15–18°C)","fermentationTimeline":"4–6 weeks","conditioningTimeline":"6–12 months","packagingInstructions":"Ensure fermentation is fully complete before packaging. Extended aging is strongly recommended for competition entries.","safetyNotes":["Never bottle a mead that has not fully finished fermenting.","D47 yeast must be kept below 65°F during fermentation.","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 supplement.","changedBy":"Modern Mazer"}],"relatedRecipes":["traditional-mead-v1","raw-honey-show-mead"],"relatedTutorials":[],"references":[{"title":"TOSNA 3.0 Nutrient Calculator","url":"https://www.meadmakr.com/tosna-calculator/","author":null,"year":null,"notes":null},{"title":"BJCP Mead Style Guidelines — Traditional Mead","url":"https://www.bjcp.org/mead-style-guidelines/","author":null,"year":null,"notes":null}]}