9/15/2016

Get A Moonshine Recipe And Know What Is In Your Drink

By Betty Perry


Nowadays, many people want to move away from anything mass produced and opt instead for something they have made themselves. After all, if you know exactly how much effort went into the production process, you'll appreciate the end result much more. Beer, cheese, bread and preserves are just some of the things that you can make at home but if you like a challenge and doing something unusual, you may want to invest in a pot distiller and a good moonshine recipe.

Most people think of moonshine as something that is made by farmers in the Appalachian Mountains. It's a type of liquor that tends to be so strong that drinking it feels like pouring fire down your throat. However, similar versions are made all over the world and have different names. What they all have in common is that they're usually distilled at home and contain a lot of alcohol.

The first step in the production process is to create a mash. This is often a mixture of corn, water, sugar and yeast. The mash has to ferment, with the corn mainly included for flavor while the sugar creates the alcohol.

After three or four days, the mash has fermented enough. You can now filter the liquid and bottle it as a type of beer. To turn it into something strong enough to make your eyes water, however, you need to distill it. To do this, place the mash in a large distilling pot and heat it. The vapors will rise into a special part of the pot known as the condenser, where they will cool into a clear liquid with lots of kick.

While the moonshine made in the Appalachian region normally has a base of corn, you can also try other starches instead, including wheat, barley or rice. Potatoes are commonly used in countries such as Finland, Iceland and Ireland. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, people sometimes use cassava or plantains to make what they call lotoko.

For a different flavor, you may use fruits instead of grains or starchy vegetables. Plums are widely used in Eastern Europe, while fruits like apricots, peaches or cherries are common ingredients in other European countries too. Haitians and Hondurans are just some of the people who prefer using sugar cane instead.

Many versions of moonshine are made with grapes. You'll find these especially in areas where wine production is common too and grapes are plentiful. In South Africa, a high-quality grape-based firewater with a name that translates as 'white lightning' can even be bought legally in liquor stores and at farmer's markets.

Before you rush out and buy a distilling pot, you first need to check the legality of producing alcoholic drinks in your area. In most countries it is highly illegal to make your own liquor and you can face hefty fines or even a prison sentence. However, it may be possible to get a distilling license in your country and make a drink that you can use for home consumption or for earning an extra income.




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