Unit 4 - Lesson 1 - Fermentation Flashcards
(46 cards)
What causes the density of unfermented liqours?
Almost entirely due to sugars
What are measurement instruments for gravity?
Brix
Bailing
Plato
Specific gravity saccharometers
Declared gravity
1.045 - 1.080
Yeast fermentation turns carbs into…
Alcohol Biomass Congeners (flavor compounds) CO2 Heat
What happens to the density of fermenting spirits?
Density decreases - more alcohol, less sugar, CO2 released, etc
What does efficient fermentation rely on?
Carb source
Healthy yeast
Suitable, Clean fermentation vessel
Temp control if outside is variable
What are the 2 key components for fermentation?
- Sugar rich liquor
2. Suitable yeast - for conversion and flavor compounds
What do you need to do prefermentation?
make sure the temp is cooled to 15-25°C
What is the equation for yeast turning glucose into alcohol?
1 molecule of Glucose
2 molecules of Alcohol
2 molecules of CO2
Heat (exothermic)
What are the primary sugars in cereals?
Glucose
Maltose (2 glucose)
Maltotriose (3 glucose)
Dextrins (4+ glucose)
What are sugars in molasses?
Glucose
Fructose
Sucrose
Primary sugar in agave?
Fructose
4 phases of fermentation?
Phase 1 - Inoculum - adding yeast
Phase 2 - Growth
Phase 3 - Fermentation
Phase 4 - Post-Fermentation
What is key in Phase 1 fermentation - inoculum or adding yeast?
Early filling to avoid micro contamination
Make sure nutrients are available
Example of low versus high inoculation?
Wine - 14 days
Whiskey - 48 hours
Higher inoculation lead to faster fermentation
Why is Phase 1 called the lag phase?
yeast adjusting to new enviro and preparing to start growth and cell division processes
When does Phase 2 - Growth happen?
Few hours after inoculation, anywhere between 3 and 24 hours,
What is a by-product of yeast growth?
amyl alcohol and is a congener
Describe Phase 2 Fermentation
Yeast multiply fast
Alcohol produced
Specific gravity decreases
Once O2 consumed, yeast slow or dies
What happens in Phase 3 of fermentation?
O2 depleted so anaerobic digestion begins
Most vigorous phase
Most heat produced
Flavor compounds produced at very low concentrations
What is a benefit during Phase 3 - Fermentation?
If there was no previous presences of microbial contaminants - at this stage it is unlikely there will be since more ABV inhibits bacteria
What happens in Phase 4 Fermentation
Post-Fermentation Stage
Fermentation - stops no more carbs
Temps drop
Yeast cells stay suspended but inactive
What needs to happen in Phase 4 and why?
Move to distillation phase quickly to avoid microbal contamination
What is measured during fermentation?
- temperatures throughout
- pH profile
- Specific gravity
- Ethyl alcohol and other alcohol profiles
- sometimes changes in sugar content