Lynn and Jim Spaulding share their simple homemade dandelion wine recipe.
This dandelion wine recipe makes one gallon of a wine full of health-giving properties.
PHOTO: FOTOLIA/KAZNADEY
The article called Wild Edible Plants that ran recently in MOTHER EARTH NEWS said that after dandelions flower you should leave the plant and go on to other foraged fare. But a nice lady gave us a recipe for dandelion wine that's supposed to have health giving properties. We made it and it's great. Here's the formula for one gallon:
Early in the morning when the dew is on the flowers, pick one gallon of perfect, open dandelion blossoms.
Put the flowers in a two gallon or larger open crock and pour boiling water over them. Cover the crock with cheesecloth and let it sit at room temperature for three days. Then squeeze all the juice outta the flowers, throw them away and save the liquid.
Put the liquid into a big pot and add:
3 lbs. sugar (we used brown raw sugar for healthiness but next time we'll try honey for healthierness. The nice lady used white (ugh) sugar.)
3 or 4 lemons, juice, skin, seeds, etc., all chopped up.
3 or 4 oranges, chopped
Boil mixture for 30 minutes with top on pot, cool to lukewarm, pour into crock and add 1 1/2 or 2 packages or tablespoons of yeast. Cover with cheesecloth and let brew sit for two or three weeks 'til the bubbling stops and — whammy!
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i wished everyone would just get along eh?
do not send me nasty a email because you don't know how to make wine all you are making is nasty mold covered crap
What's up w/ all the bitchy criticisms? If you don't like this recipe, move on and leave it to those who do. Jimbrewjr, who would take advice from a snot like you? Learn how to spell. Mother Earth, I've been reading you since the 70's - Thanks for everything. I am currently simmering dandelion juice on the stove-top and I can't wait to taste this wine :)
have you ever heard of a air lock you are not making any alcohol you are just fermenting dandelions
really bread yeast...? wine yeast is like .65 cents step it us people.
this is a flying by the seat of your pants method of "wine" making and boarders on unsafe. if your interested in making any fermented beverage a little education goes a long way. Also there is nothing unhealthy about brewing with white sugar yours not consuming it! your yeast is!
i just made this wine recipe to the t,,,after 3 days i had mold on the top. threw it all away. what a loss,time,ingredients etc. hope others had better luck than what i exp. i guess i should have gone w/my 1st reaction to this recipe,,,it was just way toooo easy,to come out right. those thoughts were exactly right,after 3 days and all the work etc.
How many open dandelion blossoms should be used? Should they fill a 2 gallon container? And exactly how much water? Would it be enough to just cover the blossoms? I appreciate any input on this, thank you.
I would say with that recipe only 1-2 tsp instead of tbs.
we always just use the active dry yeast. our wines always turn out fine. just usually use the lesser amount.
i'm fixin to make this wine and was wondering if these folks used specific wine yeast or just regular dry active yeast for making bread?