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.
Moonshine is normally associated with Appalachian farmers who would clandestinely turn at least part of their harvest into a much more valuable product. The liquor that they distilled could fetch a higher price than the produce from the land and they could also transport much more of it at a time, earning them a handsome bit of extra income. You will find different versions of strong, home-distilled liquors all over the world.
To make a moonshine-type liquor, you first need to have the mash from which the drink will be distilled. The Appalachian version is made with corn mash, which contains water, yeast, sugar and, as its name suggests, corn. The amount of sugar will determine the alcohol content while the corn provides the flavor. The yeast allows the fermentation process to start.
The mash has to ferment for a few days. When it is ready, you can strain the liquid, which by this time is similar to beer, and drink it. However, to create something much more fiery, the mash has to be distilled first, by heating it in a special distilling pot. The pot has a condenser at the top and as the vapors from the fermented mash rise to the top, they enter this condenser. Here they cool and condense into the clear liquid known as moonshine.
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.
Using fruit as your main ingredient can give a special flavor to your liquor. In much of Europe, you will find versions made from cherries, peaches, apricots or even nuts. Eastern Europeans often choose to use plums and in the countries of the Caribbean, homemade liquors distilled from sugar cane are very common.
In the world's wine regions, grapes are naturally in abundance. This means that distillers in these areas often choose grapes as the main ingredient for what then becomes a drink not unlike brandy. A very strong, clear liquor known as 'witblits', or 'white lightning', is a highly rated product from South Africa's wine region and is often available in local liquor stores.
By nature, moonshine is actually an illegally distilled drink. In most countries distilling your own liquor can land you a stiff fine or some prison time. However, in many areas you may distill your own liquor for personal use if you have a special license to do so. Therefore, check the local legislation before you invest in an expensive distilling pot.
Moonshine is normally associated with Appalachian farmers who would clandestinely turn at least part of their harvest into a much more valuable product. The liquor that they distilled could fetch a higher price than the produce from the land and they could also transport much more of it at a time, earning them a handsome bit of extra income. You will find different versions of strong, home-distilled liquors all over the world.
To make a moonshine-type liquor, you first need to have the mash from which the drink will be distilled. The Appalachian version is made with corn mash, which contains water, yeast, sugar and, as its name suggests, corn. The amount of sugar will determine the alcohol content while the corn provides the flavor. The yeast allows the fermentation process to start.
The mash has to ferment for a few days. When it is ready, you can strain the liquid, which by this time is similar to beer, and drink it. However, to create something much more fiery, the mash has to be distilled first, by heating it in a special distilling pot. The pot has a condenser at the top and as the vapors from the fermented mash rise to the top, they enter this condenser. Here they cool and condense into the clear liquid known as moonshine.
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.
Using fruit as your main ingredient can give a special flavor to your liquor. In much of Europe, you will find versions made from cherries, peaches, apricots or even nuts. Eastern Europeans often choose to use plums and in the countries of the Caribbean, homemade liquors distilled from sugar cane are very common.
In the world's wine regions, grapes are naturally in abundance. This means that distillers in these areas often choose grapes as the main ingredient for what then becomes a drink not unlike brandy. A very strong, clear liquor known as 'witblits', or 'white lightning', is a highly rated product from South Africa's wine region and is often available in local liquor stores.
By nature, moonshine is actually an illegally distilled drink. In most countries distilling your own liquor can land you a stiff fine or some prison time. However, in many areas you may distill your own liquor for personal use if you have a special license to do so. Therefore, check the local legislation before you invest in an expensive distilling pot.
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