Juicer (juice) vs. Blender (puree) for adding fresh fruit to a beer

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by koopa, May 25, 2013.

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  1. koopa

    koopa Initiate (0) Apr 20, 2008 New Jersey

    Looking to add some fresh pineapple to a Kolsch in secondary. Would it be better to run the thawed diced pineapple through a blender to make puree or a juicer to make juice?

    I know one advantage of the macerating juicer is that it doesn't oxidize the juice as much as a blender would. Any con's to adding juice instead of puree?
     
  2. inchrisin

    inchrisin Pooh-Bah (2,013) Sep 25, 2008 Indiana
    Pooh-Bah

    I would go with a pineapple juice from a can or a concentrate from the frozen section of a supermarket (if it exists). I've made some great wines (fruit cocktail) with simple frozen juice concentrate, but you want to read the labels carefully. Some of the juices have additives. Try to stay away from preservatives. I've heard some people say they've had good results from pineapple. I tried to make a wine that simply didn't turn out. I'll stay optimistic for you if you tell me how it turns out. :slight_smile:
     
  3. koopa

    koopa Initiate (0) Apr 20, 2008 New Jersey

    I have already diced and froze 7 fresh whole pineapples so I won't be going with juice from a can or a frozen concentrate. What I'm asking for opinions on here is whether I should run the diced pineapple through a juicer (to make juice) or a blender (to puree it) after I thaw it out and before I add it to secondary.
     
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  4. Mag00n

    Mag00n Initiate (0) Nov 21, 2008 New York

    Why not just throw the diced fruit in there?
     
  5. inchrisin

    inchrisin Pooh-Bah (2,013) Sep 25, 2008 Indiana
    Pooh-Bah

    I agree. Any way you cut it, the pineapple should ferment. The smaller the dice the quicker the yeast can get to it, but I think you'll be in pretty good shape after a few weeks either way. Maybe throw it in the oven to help with sanitization. Broil it for some caramelization? Don't make me say put it on the grill. :slight_smile:
     
  6. koopa

    koopa Initiate (0) Apr 20, 2008 New Jersey

    I'm assuming that:

    diced fruit
    - perhaps harder for the "flavor" to be extracted into the beer
    - perhaps harder for the sugars to be fermented by the yeast
    - takes up more volume in the fermenter

    fruit puree
    - perhaps easier (than diced fruit) for the "flavor" to be extracted into the beer
    - perhaps easier (than diced fruit) for the sugars to be fermented by the yeast
    - takes up a little less space in the fermenter
    - oxidation added by the high speed blender (might be non-issue since yeast might uptake oxygen during secondary fermentation?)

    fruit juice
    - perhaps easiest for the "flavor" to be extracted into the beer
    - perhaps easiest for the sugars to be fermented by the yeast
    - takes up the least space in the fermenter
    - reduces oxidation (compared to blended puree) by using a low rpm motor (might be non-issue since yeast might uptake oxygen during secondary fermentation?)
     
  7. fastenoughforphish

    fastenoughforphish Initiate (0) Nov 14, 2012 Illinois

    I think you just answered your own question there buddy. Juice that shit.
     
  8. koopa

    koopa Initiate (0) Apr 20, 2008 New Jersey

    LOL thanks! Those were my thoughts going into creating this thread. I'm looking for feedback on them because they are mostly formulated in my mind on "perhaps" and "might be a non-issue" levels :slight_smile:
     
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