Steamers for Juice Extraction? Worthwhile?!

[jamesbsmith]

The elderberries are almost now in season, and I managed to buy a cheap 2nd hand steamer juice extractor, which some people swear by.

I am just wondering about how good these are compared to just bringing the berries to the boil to kill germs for a second, giving them a quick mash, then sieving?

I know that the problem with elderberries is how tannic they are, and it is stated that the steaming process reduces the tannin content. To me I would have thought that the determining factor to the amount of tannins picked up, would depend on the period of pulp fermentation?

I am also wondering whether the belief of steaming = less tannins, might due to steamers extracting less juice other methods, hence less tannin / acid / juice / flavour. I have heard that one "steamer" uses 3Kg of elderberries per gallon! If the steamer does collect less juice, then this may also explain why he has to use so many berries!

Thoughts and experience please?!

 

[WVMountaineerJack]

A typical yeild is a gallon of juice from 10 pounds of fruit. Why dont you just make a batch steamed and one not steamed and see how they turn out. If you use sulfites you dont even have to bother heating them up. Taking the fruit out sooner means less tannins. Steaming is nice as you get the juice and just start making wine without the hassle of the berries in the must. Both ways are good, just depends on which way you like. WVMJ

 

[jamesbsmith]

Thanks mate. Good advise, nice one

 

[dralarms]

I use one but you still need to put the fruit in the bucket. I've got a plum that has no flavor, I juiced the fruit and just fermented the juice. Won't do that again.

 

[WVMountaineerJack]

Might be true for plums, never did them that way, but for elderberries, black berries and black raspberries flavor comes thru loud and clear. WVMJ

I use one but you still need to put the fruit in the bucket. I've got a plum that has no flavor, I juiced the fruit and just fermented the juice. Won't do that again.

 

[jamesbsmith]

Hi DRalarms,

How do you mean you still have to put the fruit in the bucket? Do you steam and then put the juice and the pulp from the steamer into a bucket to pulp ferm for a bit, strain and add to the demijohn?!

 

[dralarms]

Yes, I know it's counter productive but even after steam juicing your fruit there is still some benefits of fermenting on the skins/plup.