• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.353-359
• /
• 2011

The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementation with the needles of Pinus densiflora on the fermentation characteristics of honey wine (Pinus densiflora-honey wine). Honey without supplementation with needles of Pinus densiflora (honey wine) was included as a control. Physiochemical changes were investigated during 30 days of fermentation at $20^{\circ}C$, and following aging. At the beginning of fermentation, pH and viable cell counts of Pinus densiflora-honey wine changed rapidly, while $^{\circ}Bx$ decreased gradually. Viable yeast counts reached maximum levels at 5 to 10 days of fermentation. At day 0, the pH of Pinus densiflora-honey wine was 3.8, while the non-supplemented honey wine had a pH of 3.4. Decease in $^{\circ}Bx$ was faster in Pinus densiflora-honey wine than in non-supplemented honey wine. Supplementation of honey with needles of Pinus densiflora prior to fermentation shifted the initial pH to a more neutral pH, and the presence of Pinus densiflora needles increased the fermentation speed. The final $^{\circ}Bx$, pH, ethanol content, and total titratable acidity of Pinus densiflora-honey wine were $13.7^{\circ}Bx$, pH 3.05, 13.5%, and 0.37%, respectively. A sensory evaluation demonstrated that addition of 4% (w/v) fructose to honey wine supplemented with neddles of Pinus densiflora raised the level of product acceptability.