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The legendary drink of celebration and sacred drink of gods made from fermented honey…also known as Ambrosia. Mead is the oldest fermented beverage known to man. It's
existence is evidenced with the Pharaoh's of Egypt.
In ancient times it was believed that honey fell as dew from the heavens and was then gathered by bees. The Greeks and Vikings believed mead would prolong life and bestow health, strength, wit and poetry.
In Medieval times, it was a tradition for newlyweds to drink mead from "moon to moon" thus the word "honeymoon" originated. The mystery of fermentation was not understood until Louis Pasteur in the mid 1800's discovered "yeast" as the cause. Queen Elizabeth I was know to drink Metheglin -- Mead infused with rosemary and thyme. Chaucer speaks of making Claret sweeter by the addition of mead.
The necessity of boiling of honey to sterilize it was awkward as honey could
caramelize in process…Grapes and hops were used for a more consistently rewarding process. Thus modern day wines and beers began.
''The juice of bees, not Bacchus, here behold. … Which British Bards were wont to quaff of old…The berries of the grape with Furies swell, But in the honey comb the Graces Dwell!''
Copyright 2001 by Jan Morris aka Lady Eileen ingine dubh-Luchag - prepared for a
handout at event. Posted Jan 2002
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