Sima - Finnish Mead
"Sima is a sweat mead that is an essential seasonal brew connected with the Finnish Vappu festival. It is usually spiced by adding both the flesh and rind of a lemon. During secondary fermentation raisins are added to control the amount of sugars and to act as an indicator of readiness for consumption — they will rise to the top of the bottle when the drink is ready. Sima is usually accompanied by munkkeja or Tippaleivät (donuts and other pastries). Mead is ready after 2-3 days."
photo by Cynna
- Ready In:
- 48hrs 15mins
- Ingredients:
- 7
- Serves:
-
12
ingredients
- 1 gallon mineral water
- 1 quart mineral water
- 12 ounces sugar
- 12 ounces brown sugar
- 2 lemons
- 1⁄2 cup molasses or 1/2 cup honey
- 1⁄4 teaspoon yeast
directions
- Wash the lemons and peel them thinly. Remove the pith. Slice the lemons and place them with the peel and sugar in a sufficiently large vessel.
- Bring half of the water to the boil and pour it over the lemons, peel, honey or molasses and sugar. Stir and leave to stand covered for a while. Add the rest of the water cold. When the liquid is lukewarm add the yeast.
- Keep the mead at room temperature until it starts to ferment, i.e. about one day. Put a couple of raisins and 1 tsp of sugar into clean bottles, and strain the mead into the bottles. Loosely cork the bottles and store them in a cool place. The mead is ready when the raisins rise to the surface.
Questions & Replies
Got a question?
Share it with the community!
Reviews
-
the yeast is Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ? please help me. thank you so much! -
I had great results from this recipe! I added a bit of cinnamon and substituted one of the lemons with a small orange. I used Perrier mineral water because the bottles were nice and I wanted to use them to put the mead in. After they sat for about 2 days, I started moving them to the refrigerator one at a time to be consumed, but I've noticed that the bottles that remained in the cabinet (about 12 days now) are very carbonated. I've started bleeding off some of the pressure for fear that they might explode. The alcohol content seems to be similar to beer or maybe a weaker wine. All in all, amazing recipe, tastes great, and not overly difficult to make. Thanks for sharing! -
I am making this mead right now for the first time, and at my husbands request added a little bit of cinnamon to the mixture. I do have a question though, the recipe doesn't specify how many bottles to use so I'm not sure how much sugar to add or rasins to put in. I mean would it turn out the same if I used one teaspoon of sugar, and two big bottles, as it would If I divided it up into smaller bottles and used the same amount of sugar? I'm not sure what I should do. -
I love this mead, and it was worth the wait. I halved the recipe, and I discovered that thin-skinned lemons work best, for me at least. I wasn't sure if the "sufficiently large vessel" needed to be non-reactive, so I didn't take chances and used my ceramic crockpot insert. Thanks, NcMysteryShopper! Made for Beverage Tag. -
Oh yeah...this is just FABULOUS! My husband loves mead so I made this for him. It was easy but hard to wait. I made half a recipe but wish I made the whole thing. I had to go buy more stuff to make it again now. I used dark brown molasses sugar and buckwheat honey. I used the glass mineral water bottles and just sat the screw top lids on top without tightening them. My raisins only took a day to rise to the top so we started sampling 1 bottle within a couple of days and let the other one sit 2 weeks. I like it better in the beginning my husband likes the more fermented flavor after sitting longer. At 2-3 weeks it still isn't very intoxicating to us. I would like to try a ginger beer version of this for myself. Thanks for this keeper recipe!
see 2 more reviews
RECIPE SUBMITTED BY
I live in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina on Butler Mountain. I am a mystery shopper for restaurants and retail establishments. I graduated from UNC-Asheville with a BFA in art (photography).
I was just recently married in Costa Rica to KC and his 6 year old son, Ty. Our wedding was perfect and I will cherish the memories forever. Leslie, Mama's Kitchen, sassafrasnanc, Mommy Diva and Chef V attended the wedding with their husbands!! Leslie's daughter Sarah was our flower girl and her hubby Wayne was our talented musician! I had the time of my life!!!
<embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w3.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/897d027c.pbw" height="360" width="480">
Our family is rounded out with 6 Bengals, 1 Jack Russell Terror named Harley, a ferret named Mason, giant gold fish, a water dragon named Crusoe, a Beautiful Appaloosa/Arabian named Sassy, a stunning Palomino Quarter Horse named Sweet Pea and a gorgeous black Standardbred named Domino! We also have added a Leopard Appaloosa rescue horse to the mix. Her name is Pebbles and she is lovely!
<img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/thstatenorthcara1.gif"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/artsyfartsya1.gif"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/buttermybutt.gif"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/anotherdayinparadise.gif"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/countrygirla1.gif"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/truelove.gif">
<embed src="http://w3.photobucket.com/widgets/Bucketshow.swf" quality="high" bgcolor="ffffff" width="300" height="300" name="Bucketshow" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" flashvars="url=http://w3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/cutest of cute/&name=ourcuties"></embed>
<img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/imengageda1.gif"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/love31a.gif"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/someoldnewa1.gif"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/crazyinlovea1.gif"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/wedding2.gif"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/praying_for_my_bean.gif">
I love Zaar! I have so many wonderful friends here and I really enjoy being a Forum Host. I love the games in the Contest & Events Forum! The games are addictive and a great opportunity to meet the members of this community. I had a blast co-hosting the first Zaar World Tour 2005 with ~Leslie~. Zaar World Tour II doubled in size and ~Leslie~ and I were joined with co-hosts Mama�s Kitchen and kzbhansen. Zaar World Tour 3 doubled again in size and Leslie, Mama's Kitchen and I were joined with SusieD, PanNan and JustCallMeToni! We also established the "Whine and Cheese Gang" which was a wonderful team that was put together to help all the teams playing. Zaar World Tour IV will be bigger and even better!!!
Click on the image below to watch the Zaar World Tour 2 recap and promo for ZWT3.
<embed width="448" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/remix/player.swf?videoURL=http%3A%2F%2Fvid3.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy53%2FDUCHESS13%2FZaar%2520World%2520Tour%2520II%2520%2520Video%2520Files%2F276d5ad0.pbr&hostname=stream3.photobucket.com">
I love hosting the Beverage Forum! As a former bartender and bar owner I am right at home mixing and shaking it up. I love cooking with spirits and experimenting with new drinks and making liqueurs. Stop on by the Beverage Form and see what we are up to.
<img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/cherylban-1.jpg">
<li><a href="http://www.recipezaar.com/bb/viewforum.zsp?f=1">Recipe Request Forum Host</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.recipezaar.com/bb/viewforum.zsp?f=53">Beverages (Alcoholic & Non-Alcoholic)Forum Host</a></li>
<a href="http://messenger.yahoo.com/edit/send/?.target=ncmysteryshopper">
<img border="0" src="http://opi.yahoo.com/yahooonline/u=ncmysteryshopper/m=g/t=8/l=us/opi.jpg">
</a>
<img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/Beverage%20Forum/officialmemberofthebevtaggame.jpg">
<img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/utens1.gif">
I try to cook using only organic ingredients and fresh organic produce. Of course this is not always possible... but I do make the effort.
I love experimenting with new cuisines and love fusion! I like most foods and most cuisines... Spices and Sauces are my forte! I am most known for cooking with all kinds of wine and liquor. I am always on the hunt for the perfect blend of flavors.... the dish whose first bite makes you put your fork down and relish the mouthful.
Sushi, Spicy Foods, Mussels, Shrimp, Lobster, Stone Crabs, Artichokes, Traditional Thai Food, Middle Eastern, Moroccan, French, Mexican, Indian, Asian, Turkish, and the list goes on and on.....
<a href="http://www.amazingcounter.com"><img border="0" src="http://c7.amazingcounters.com/counter.php?i=1582062&c=4746499" alt="web page hit counter"></a><a href="http://www.smartdiets.info/coupons/weight-watchers.html"></a>
<img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/BarStarOnWireLine.gif">
Zaar Chefs that have passed away and live on forever in my heart! In loving memory of......
<li><a href="http://www.recipezaar.com/member/185105"> Stacky5</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.recipezaar.com/member/86764">Redneck Epicurean</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.recipezaar.com/member/87023">Latchy</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.recipezaar.com/member/104600">Cool Monday</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.recipezaar.com/member/372295">Chef I Am</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.recipezaar.com/member/23302"> Mille® ™</a></li>
<img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/BarStarOnWireLine.gif">
<img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/NotDS.gif" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">
<img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/World%20Tour/PartAwards.gif">
<img src="http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg271/MrsTeny/ParticipationBanner.jpg"border="0" alt="Photobucket">
<img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/DiningonaDollarParticipant.jpg">
<img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/RSC%20Banners/RSC11-ncmysteryshopper.jpg"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/RSC%20Banners/RSC12-NcMysteryShopper.jpg">
<a href=http://www.recipezaar.com/cookbook.php?bookid=177083 target="_blank"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/RSC9Participant.jpg"></a><a href=http://www.recipezaar.com/cookbook.php?bookid=177082 target="_blank"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/RSCCheryl.jpg"></a>
<a href=http://www.recipezaar.com/cookbook.php?bookid=177077 target="_blank"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/RSC8Partipation.jpg"></a><a href=http://www.recipezaar.com/cookbook.php?bookid=177088 target="_blank"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/RSC7Participant.jpg"></a><a href=http://www.recipezaar.com/cookbook.php?bookid=177085 target="_blank"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/RSC6Participant.jpg"></a>
<img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/Animation1.gif" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/4treasurehunt.gif" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">
<img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/FFF/completedbanner.gif"> <img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/FFF/Switzerland-FFF4.gif"> <img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/Zaar%20World%20Tour%203/ladynusstortes.jpg">
<img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/ZaarWorldTourPartBanner.gif" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">
<img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/World%20Tour/ZWT2.gif">
<img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/Zaar%20World%20Tour%203/ZWT3-Participation.gif">
<img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/Zaar%20World%20Tour%204/ZWTAB-tg.gif">
<img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e110/flower753/Food/my3chefsnov2008.jpg">
<img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e110/flower753/Food/my3chefs2008Small.jpg">
<img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/MyThreeChefs.jpg"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/PAC05.jpg">
<img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/PAC06-1.jpg"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/Pac06Fall.jpg"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/PAC07-1.jpg"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/PAC07Fall.jpg">
<img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/PACSpring2008.jpg">
<img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/PACFall2008.jpg">
<img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/thMightyMaenadsMini.gif"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/thAnimatedPRDMini.gif"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/thSistasoftheTravellingPotsandPans.gif"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/Zaar%20World%20Tour%203/whineandcheesegangSM.jpg">
<img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/berriesblinkie.gif" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com"> <img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/thsinsweetstrawsisMini.gif"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/thAnimationStellaMarisMini.gif">
<img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/HotEnchiladiies.gif" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">
<img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/Photo_Video_577111733_orig.jpg">
<img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/tablesetting.jpg"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/backtobasis.jpg"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/BBQPhoto.jpg"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/TapasMenu.jpg"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/BBQ.jpg"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/AnimatedHostChallengeBannerII-Stamp.gif"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/ZWT-ChallengeHostBanner-Stamp.gif"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/ZWT4-ChallengeHostAboutMe-Small.gif">
<img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/stacky5.jpg">
<img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/Amy.jpg"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/cookathonLorac-1.jpg">
<img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/StampRow1.jpg"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/StampRow2.jpg"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/StampRow3.jpg"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/stampRow4.jpg"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/homepage/StampKaffee.jpg">
<img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y53/DUCHESS13/crockpot.jpg">
<a href="http://www.sparklee.com"><img src="http://img110.mytextgraphics.com/sparklee/2007/12/17/fb5cb0ed92b908750a9b76c86ea44dd5.gif" border="0" alt="free logo - http://www.sparklee.com" /></a><img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border=0 width=0 height=0 src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/CIMP/Jmx*PTExOTc5MTQ5MTE1NzgmcHQ9MTE5NzkxNDk*MDkzNyZwPTc*MzIxJmQ9Jm49.jpg" />
<a href="http://www.maploco.com/view.php?id=1927356"><img border=0 src="http://www.maploco.com/vmap/1927356.png" alt="Visitor Map"></a><a href="http://www.maploco.com/">Create your own visitor map!</a>
