Analysis

[wormwood]

Saliva contains enzymes that convert starches to fermentable sugars. Chicha is traditionally made by chewing the grain and I believe some Asian rice wines too. I tried making chicha once - it's a lot more work than you might think.

[spot]

Doing it might work but serving it to the mother in law would definitely strain our relationship.

[Curmudgeon]

Doing it might work but serving it to the mother in law would definitely strain our relationship.

What she doesn't know won't kill her (which could be considered advantage or disadvantage)