StillSmart

From what I have been able to glean from reading the threads on Kale Washes, it appears to offer two main benefits.

Firstly, a less flavoured neutral
Secondly, it is very economical.

I haven't been able to find any comment in the threads as to what Kale brings to a wash other than vitamin C. So, as a nutrient, are there other properties that Kale brings?

As odour and taste are so often closely related, and given the pungency of Kale, I am surprised that it is as flavourless as suggested, though I am not and cannot anyway disagree with the findings of those who have tried it.

I, as yet, have only tried Lentil which, for me, leaves a very light, mild, ground pepper taste..

It is always easy to follow a recipe or method by rote but I would rather try to understand the process and, hopefully, learn from that understanding.

Is Kale adding anything other than vitamin C, and, if so, what? Is the pungency of the odours given off any indication of other elements which might be involved?

Or, would simply adding a pinch of vitamin C to a sugar wash have the same effect as Kale?

makum101 wrote:Going to try this again tomorrow. I didnt realise until I got back home from Tesco but I bought Allison's easy bake dried yeast tin (green tin) instead of the Allison's bakers dried yeast tin (yellow tin). Will it be OK with 'easy bake' version? It has one extra ingredient that does something to flour apparently - bread improver - Ascorbic Acid ([b]Vitamin C)

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reading this thread I notice Kale has vitamin C
and also easy bake yeast has vitamin C added

Sooooooooooo if we use easy bake yeast, is there any need to use Kale in a sugar wash ?

Squint wrote:Sooooooooooo if we use easy bake yeast, is there any need to use Kale in a sugar wash ?

Kale does't just contain Vit C, scroll down this page to see what actually it contains http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=38

Hi Toper

I don't know the exact answer to your question but I'm pretty sure Sugar and vitamin C won't work, perhaps there are other benefits from kale like acting as a ph buffer, also it must be a property that very little flavour carrys over.

Personally I haven't give much thought to exactly how it works, the fact that it's a trend and tested method is was good enough for me to have a go.

vino-tinto wrote:

Squint wrote:Sooooooooooo if we use easy bake yeast, is there any need to use Kale in a sugar wash ?

Kale does't just contain Vit C, scroll down this page to see what actually it contains http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=38

What vino has posted!

What is so difficult?
Go back and study a little from the original thread posted on kale. On this very site.

It was established at the outset the advantage of kale is the nutrients it brings to a wash.
I believe the instigator of this wash was clear about the amount of leaf to use in a 25litre even. +/- 75grams.
In other words SFA!

Actually A, a wash can be conjured up from vit C and sugar. Have done one in the past, took the lead from post on Modern Distiller.

Very distinctive citrus taste from the still. Not neutral, wouldn't repeat.
Just FWIW.

Yeast like other organisms need a balance of nutrients to reproduce and perform well.

packapoo wrote:

vino-tinto wrote:

Squint wrote:Sooooooooooo if we use easy bake yeast, is there any need to use Kale in a sugar wash ?

Kale does't just contain Vit C, scroll down this page to see what actually it contains http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=38

What vino has posted!

What is so difficult?
Go back and study a little from the original thread posted on kale. On this very site.

It was established at the outset the advantage of kale is the nutrients it brings to a wash.
I believe the instigator of this wash was clear about the amount of leaf to use in a 25litre even. +/- 75grams.
In other words SFA!

what's so difficult, I'll take thet as told then

what does SFA mean ?

sorry I posted, won't, happen again, reminds me of another place.

packapoo wrote:Actually A, a wash can be conjured up from vit C and sugar. Have done one in the past, took the lead from post on Modern Distiller.

Very distinctive citrus taste from the still. Not neutral, wouldn't repeat.
Just FWIW.

thank you for your response,

Toper,

I will give you the fullest answer I can.

Firstly, a less flavoured neutral
Secondly, it is very economical.

Absolutely, and it is very easy to set up

So, as a nutrient, are there other properties that Kale brings?

I was not the instigator of this wash, but certainly I have championed it. Gooch, I believe , discovered this and it was based primarily on the fact tale is a recognised 'super food' which I would roughly translates to nutrient rich

As odour and taste are so often closely related, and given the pungency of Kale, I am surprised that it is as flavourless as suggested, though I am not and cannot anyway disagree with the findings of those who have tried it.


I have been a winemaker for many years. And I have smelt some horrendous smells coming off wines. Not just the ones that have gone wrong - Routinely. So although I can agree with your sentiment. My experience has been very very contrary to the fact.

I, as yet, have only tried Lentil which, for me, leaves a very light, mild, ground pepper taste..

I was not impressed by the lentil wash. I know many are. Do not underestimate the profile any yeast will bring.

It is always easy to follow a recipe or method by rote but I would rather try to understand the process and, hopefully, learn from that understanding.

The Kale wash is certainly no harder than the lentil wash. Have you downloaded the recipe?

Is Kale adding anything other than vitamin C, and, if so, what? Is the pungency of the odours given off any indication of other elements which might be involved?

By definition, it has to bring more than just vitamins C but I have not got a complete analysis of it. B vitamins are important to yeast and so are minerals, trace elements & fatty acids. A active fermentation is a very complicated place, which is not fully understood by even the best informed of how chemists. The industry is still learning.

Or, would simply adding a pinch of vitamin C to a sugar wash have the same effect as Kale?

....... I think you know where this one is going Nope. Absolutely not

It appears that Kale is so high in nutrients that should I distil a few gallons from Kale washes, I could be the healthiest drunk in town.

Seriously though, thanks to all those who replied.

Having been directed to look at the full spectrum of the nutritional properties of Kale, I also looked at others plants,

Yellow Bell Peppers seem to be very high in nutritional properties. Has anybody tried these? Given their level of nutrients, the amount required might be even lower than with Kale, possibly adding even less in flavour.

I do like your thinking...healthiest drunk in town.

"even less in flavour " That might be quite hard - seriously give it a go!

@ Mash....

Googe was his name, Googe's Goo was the concoction and thread.....
Concur with you on lentil in every respect. Only tried one wash, it couldn't compare. Aware many rate it.

I can only guess that lentil is more sensitive to temperature and/or ph or something in the water and kale is more complete in nutrients so more robust? I seem to recall easydrinker saying his is well or spring water.

Kale is king.
I do cheat a bit , more sugar and
Vodka Star . Nice