Comments for LimoncelloQuest http://limoncelloquest.com A Personal Pilgrimage to Create the Perfect Limoncello Sun, 20 Jul 2008 08:24:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.3 Comment on Batch #5 Results by Ben http://limoncelloquest.com/posts/batch-5-results#comment-198 Ben Wed, 09 Jul 2008 17:16:18 +0000 http://limoncelloquest.com/posts/batch-5-results#comment-198 I'd recommend a couple possible solutions with the caveat that they will be experimental in nature, which isn't a bad thing really! First, I'd attempt to remove all the zest you can through a coffee filter and then attempt to put the infused liquor through a Brita filter. It may be too slow or just plain not work but it's worth a try. I don't know if that would change the flavor though I suspect it will. The other, simpler option, is to just increase the amount of simple syrup relative to the amount of liquor. This will make it sweeter and smoother. Drinking it straight from the freezer takes the edge off if it's actually TOO sweet because the cold dulls your perception of the sweetness. Hope that helps! I’d recommend a couple possible solutions with the caveat that they will be experimental in nature, which isn’t a bad thing really! First, I’d attempt to remove all the zest you can through a coffee filter and then attempt to put the infused liquor through a Brita filter. It may be too slow or just plain not work but it’s worth a try. I don’t know if that would change the flavor though I suspect it will.

The other, simpler option, is to just increase the amount of simple syrup relative to the amount of liquor. This will make it sweeter and smoother. Drinking it straight from the freezer takes the edge off if it’s actually TOO sweet because the cold dulls your perception of the sweetness. Hope that helps!

]]> Comment on Batch #5 Results by Vicki http://limoncelloquest.com/posts/batch-5-results#comment-197 Vicki Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:42:02 +0000 http://limoncelloquest.com/posts/batch-5-results#comment-197 So... I had three batches in various stages or production, before I came across your site. I am using 190 Everclear, and a recipe with proportions quite similar to yours... but I did not filter my liquor prior to adding the zest in any of my batches. Batch one is bottled, and after week one of resting, it is delicious at first and then has that Everclear punch on the tail end of each sip. This batch will obviously have to age a couple of months minimum. My question is... now that I have two batches that have not yet had the simple syrup added, is there anything I can do at this stage to help smooth them out? So… I had three batches in various stages or production, before I came across your site. I am using 190 Everclear, and a recipe with proportions quite similar to yours… but I did not filter my liquor prior to adding the zest in any of my batches. Batch one is bottled, and after week one of resting, it is delicious at first and then has that Everclear punch on the tail end of each sip. This batch will obviously have to age a couple of months minimum.

My question is… now that I have two batches that have not yet had the simple syrup added, is there anything I can do at this stage to help smooth them out?

]]> Comment on Batch #2 Results by Tony http://limoncelloquest.com/posts/batch-2-results#comment-196 Tony Fri, 04 Jul 2008 20:00:52 +0000 http://limoncelloquest.com/posts/batch-2-results#comment-196 I came across your site while I did a search on Google for alcohol stats and your article on Batch #2 Results was informative. I came across your site while I did a search on Google for alcohol stats and your article on Batch #2 Results was informative.

]]> Comment on Batches 7 & 8: Organic vs. Non-Organic Lemons by Ben http://limoncelloquest.com/posts/batches-7-8-organic-vs-non-organic-lemons#comment-193 Ben Sat, 21 Jun 2008 16:38:44 +0000 http://limoncelloquest.com/posts/batches-7-8-organic-vs-non-organic-lemons#comment-193 Hi Stephen, you make great points here. I've seen some limoncello recipes in liters and grams when I was starting out and didn't use them because it was easier to use a recipe in cups but as you point out, it's less accurate. I've been sticking to cups because it's easier for readers (and because I'd have to buy a metric kitchen scale to do it any other way) but I probably should note the mass-based measurement also for those folks who want to replicate the recipe exactly. I'll work on that. It's great to have an engineer's take on this, thanks! Hi Stephen, you make great points here. I’ve seen some limoncello recipes in liters and grams when I was starting out and didn’t use them because it was easier to use a recipe in cups but as you point out, it’s less accurate. I’ve been sticking to cups because it’s easier for readers (and because I’d have to buy a metric kitchen scale to do it any other way) but I probably should note the mass-based measurement also for those folks who want to replicate the recipe exactly. I’ll work on that.

It’s great to have an engineer’s take on this, thanks!

]]> Comment on Batches 7 & 8: Organic vs. Non-Organic Lemons by Stephen http://limoncelloquest.com/posts/batches-7-8-organic-vs-non-organic-lemons#comment-181 Stephen Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:40:41 +0000 http://limoncelloquest.com/posts/batches-7-8-organic-vs-non-organic-lemons#comment-181 Firstly, I'd like to thank you for your site and all the great information here! Secondly, I bring a point of criticism from an engineering background (in manufacturing and production) that you are using volumetric and quantitative measurements where mass-based measurements will yield a significantly higher accuracy. As with any scientific document, your conventions reflect heavily on how easily and reliably your results can be duplicated, regardless of outside influence. Liters and grams leave no room for interpretation; however, a cup varies widely and in varying contexts based on what is being measured. 1 liter = 4.227 cups in the US, 4 cups metric, or 4.4 cups in Canada and the UK. Would it not be more accurate to list your ingredients using grams for sugar (since these units do not vary) and mL for water? Also, what is the final quantity of zest used, in grams, since the size of the lemon and thickness of its peel can vary greatly? I know this sounds like an attack on your methodology, but it sounds as if you already have the proper testing and documentation in place and only need minimalistic refinement. Cheers! Firstly, I’d like to thank you for your site and all the great information here! Secondly, I bring a point of criticism from an engineering background (in manufacturing and production) that you are using volumetric and quantitative measurements where mass-based measurements will yield a significantly higher accuracy. As with any scientific document, your conventions reflect heavily on how easily and reliably your results can be duplicated, regardless of outside influence. Liters and grams leave no room for interpretation; however, a cup varies widely and in varying contexts based on what is being measured.

1 liter = 4.227 cups in the US, 4 cups metric, or 4.4 cups in Canada and the UK. Would it not be more accurate to list your ingredients using grams for sugar (since these units do not vary) and mL for water? Also, what is the final quantity of zest used, in grams, since the size of the lemon and thickness of its peel can vary greatly?

I know this sounds like an attack on your methodology, but it sounds as if you already have the proper testing and documentation in place and only need minimalistic refinement.

Cheers!

]]> Comment on Revisiting batches 1 & 2 by Zoe http://limoncelloquest.com/posts/revisiting-batches-1-2#comment-175 Zoe Sun, 15 Jun 2008 17:28:31 +0000 http://limoncelloquest.com/posts/revisiting-batches-1-2#comment-175 hi Ben yeah, we put the juice in too and it really gives it a kick...nice and lemon-ey! Wow, I like your site...totally dedicated to Limoncello. When I make the next batch I'll come here for some tips!!! hi Ben

yeah, we put the juice in too and it really gives it a kick…nice and lemon-ey! Wow, I like your site…totally dedicated to Limoncello. When I make the next batch I’ll come here for some tips!!!

]]> Comment on Batch #3 Split Test by Ben http://limoncelloquest.com/posts/batch-3-split-test#comment-151 Ben Fri, 30 May 2008 17:17:32 +0000 http://limoncelloquest.com/posts/batch-3-split-test#comment-151 I'm not sure about how many times you can use a filter, quite a few but not as many times as with water. My rule of thumb for when to change it out is just to look at the flow coming out the bottom of the filter when you first pour the liquor in the top. When it reduces to drips I change out the filter. I have done some batches with one or two filtrations and some with as many as six filtrations. I can tell you that one or two isn't as good as 5 or 6, but that's as fine grained as I can tell you right now. What I haven't done but would like to do is filter like 10 times and see if that is a real improvement. On the issue of proof, I usually do it by quality. I filter the lower quality, cheaper liquors more than more expensive ones. I think that generally speaking, filtering decent quality vodka doesn't result in massive improvements (though still worth doing) but filtering grain alcohol is an absolute must and produces massive taste improvements. I'm glad you like the site! Stop back and let me know how it goes for you! I’m not sure about how many times you can use a filter, quite a few but not as many times as with water. My rule of thumb for when to change it out is just to look at the flow coming out the bottom of the filter when you first pour the liquor in the top. When it reduces to drips I change out the filter.

I have done some batches with one or two filtrations and some with as many as six filtrations. I can tell you that one or two isn’t as good as 5 or 6, but that’s as fine grained as I can tell you right now. What I haven’t done but would like to do is filter like 10 times and see if that is a real improvement.

On the issue of proof, I usually do it by quality. I filter the lower quality, cheaper liquors more than more expensive ones. I think that generally speaking, filtering decent quality vodka doesn’t result in massive improvements (though still worth doing) but filtering grain alcohol is an absolute must and produces massive taste improvements.

I’m glad you like the site! Stop back and let me know how it goes for you!

]]> Comment on Batch #3 Split Test by Natrous http://limoncelloquest.com/posts/batch-3-split-test#comment-149 Natrous Thu, 29 May 2008 20:59:33 +0000 http://limoncelloquest.com/posts/batch-3-split-test#comment-149 How long/how many times can you use a single Brita filter when you are doing your filtering? Is there any rule if thumb you use for when you toss the filter and get a new one? Have you done testing yet to see if 4 filtering passes is that much better than 2? Should you filter lower-proof alcohol more than higher proof stuff? The filters aren't that expensive, I suppose, but with the cost of the high-proof vodka it adds up. (Great site, btw... I was just curious about making limoncello, but all the recipes i found seemed to just be posted by people who hadn't actually tried them. I wasn't going to bother, then last week I found your site. Last day of the 3-for-a-dollar lemons was today... zesting begins tonight!) How long/how many times can you use a single Brita filter when you are doing your filtering? Is there any rule if thumb you use for when you toss the filter and get a new one?

Have you done testing yet to see if 4 filtering passes is that much better than 2?

Should you filter lower-proof alcohol more than higher proof stuff?

The filters aren’t that expensive, I suppose, but with the cost of the high-proof vodka it adds up.

(Great site, btw… I was just curious about making limoncello, but all the recipes i found seemed to just be posted by people who hadn’t actually tried them. I wasn’t going to bother, then last week I found your site. Last day of the 3-for-a-dollar lemons was today… zesting begins tonight!)

]]> Comment on Arancello (Orange-cello) Test by James Kryten http://limoncelloquest.com/posts/arancello-orange-cello-test#comment-97 James Kryten Fri, 09 May 2008 09:23:10 +0000 http://limoncelloquest.com/posts/arancello-orange-cello-test#comment-97 Hi there! I am thoroughly impressed with your knowledge of Cello. Your insights into this article about Cello was well worth the the time to read it. I thank you for posting such awsome information. Signed James Kryten on this Day Friday. Hi there! I am thoroughly impressed with your knowledge of Cello. Your insights into this article about Cello was well worth the the time to read it. I thank you for posting such awsome information. Signed James Kryten on this Day Friday.

]]> Comment on Batch #5 Results by Jettie http://limoncelloquest.com/posts/batch-5-results#comment-81 Jettie Tue, 06 May 2008 06:20:49 +0000 http://limoncelloquest.com/posts/batch-5-results#comment-81 <strong>Jettie</strong> Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today. Jettie

Dream as if you’ll live forever, live as if you’ll die today.

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