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CellarScience® FermFed | Yeast Nutrient

CellarScience® FermFed | Yeast Nutrient

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Description

Help your yeast reach the end of fermentation safely while producing amazing flavors with FermFed by CellarScience®.  Yeast that are given FermFed have a higher likelihood of fermenting without issue while producing wines with more intense flavors and aromas.  FermFed is a complex nutrient blend of diammonium phosphate, thiamin, amino acids, sterols, pantothenic acid, mannoproteins, protective microelements derived from yeast hulls, and vitamins B2, B5, B6, & B12.  FermFed also contains the organic and inorganic nitrogen (DAP) that yeast need.  

 
How Much Do I Add and When?
The recommendation that covers most fermentations is to add 1 gram per gallon of FermFed DAP Free at the onset of fermentation and then add 1 gram per gallon of FermFed after 1/3 sugar depletion. Mix the nutrients in a small slurry of water and add to the fermentation.  Read more below if you are interested in measuring YAN (Yeast Available Nitrogen) and adjusting your nutrient schedule accordingly.  
 
The Science of How it Works
The different components of FermFed work in different ways to feed and protect your yeast. 
  • Grape must/juice is often deficient in assimilable nitrogen. When yeast do not have enough nitrogen, they are more likely to produce hydrogen sulfide (rotten eggs). FermFed helps to eliminate this problem by providing enough nitrogen for most situations.   
  • Yeast get weaker as they divide and multiply. They run the risk of not being able to properly finish fermentation as the alcohol content rises. Feeding them sterols help cells maintain membrane fluidity so that the yeast can properly function as alcohol and other harmful compounds in the fermentation conspire against them.  
  • Mannoprotein molecules bind esters and terpenes and work as an anchor to keep them in solution so they are not driven off by CO2 during fermentation. 
  • Pantothenic acid is added to help reduce the production of hydrogen sulfide.  
  • Thiamine is important for yeast metabolism. 
  • Vitamins B2, B5, B6, & B12 are important for general yeast health. 
 
Advanced - Adjusting Your Nutrient Schedule Based on YAN (Yeast Available Nitrogen)
In addition to the nutrients provided by FermFed or FermFed DAP Free, yeast need a certain level of nitrogen to perform adequately. If deprived of nitrogen, yeast are more likely to produce off flavors, most notably hydrogen sulfide. When added at the rate of 1 gram per gallon, FermFed provides 38ppm of YAN while FermFed DAP Free adds 20ppm. 
 
How much YAN do you need? Acceptable levels range from 175 to 300ppm.  YAN levels in grapes vary, with grapes from warmer climates often having less. The best practice is to measure your grapes using a commercial wine lab or the Vinmetrica YAN Test Kit along with a Vinmetrica Meter. If you know your YAN the following is a good general guide:
  • 175ppm or above = FermFed DAP Free @ onset + FermFed DAP Free @ 1/3 completion (adds 40ppm YAN)
  • 150ppm or above = FermFed DAP Free @ onset + FermFed @ 1/3 completion (adds 58ppm YAN)
  • 125ppm or above = FermFed @ onset + FermFed @ 1/3 completion (adds 72ppm YAN)
  • Below 125ppm = FermFed @ onset + FermFed @ 1/3 completion + extra DAP 
 
The best way for to test for YAN is using a lab or a home testing solution like this YAN kit from Vinmetrica. An acceptable level for YAN is between 200 to 350ppm
  • FermFed provides 38ppm of Yan when added at the rate of 1 gram per gallon.
  • The reason we don’t automatically use FermFed for a Stage 2 is that we don’t want to introduce excessive amounts of DAP into the wine if your yeast don’t need it.  
 
For a full yeast nutritional plan, use FermStart when rehydrating your yeast, use FermFed DAP Free at the onset of fermentation, and use FermFed after 1/3 sugar depletion.
 
Community Q&A

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Why did you choose this?
MoreFlavor Store
Sounded good
Doug F on Feb 28, 2023
recommendation
SAM C on Jan 4, 2023
Sounded good
Doug F on Feb 28, 2023
I'm making lemon wine with Citrus Yeast.
tristen c on Jan 17, 2023
recommendation
SAM C on Jan 4, 2023
Trying this out
Michael D on Dec 24, 2022
Want to learn brewing.
Valued C on Dec 17, 2022
To help with making mead
Miguel A. Nieves S on Sep 16, 2022
Because I'm making beer
Gary W on Sep 5, 2022
Support consistent fermentation through a super dry finish! Pre-measured convenience!
Donald B on Sep 2, 2022
Ran out
Jonathan T on Aug 25, 2022
watched you tube video
Molly K on Jun 1, 2022
Buddy uses it
Austin L on Apr 30, 2022
Seltzer
Richard Z on Apr 20, 2022
healthy
Ben G on Mar 7, 2022
Yeast gotta eat man, especially when you are making mead.
Michael T on Mar 4, 2022
keep it from getting stuck.
Jesse L on Feb 9, 2022
To help yeast health
Colton B on Jan 22, 2022
To make Mead
Colby K on Nov 19, 2021
recommended
russell b on Nov 15, 2021
need it
Randall B on Nov 10, 2021
it goes with it
Judith H on Oct 26, 2021
Want to see if it works as good or better than fermaid k
Kevin S on Sep 16, 2021
recommended
Phillip M on Aug 7, 2021
Used in the past.
Charles L on Jul 28, 2021
Environment for cleaner taste of fermented fruit
Nathan H on Jul 20, 2021
Seltzer
Harlan on Jun 10, 2021
If it works, it seems to be a cost effective nutrient
Pascual R on Apr 16, 2021
For making hard seltzer
DAN J E on Mar 23, 2021
I need it to brew beer
Valued C on Feb 25, 2021
Apple Cider
Sean T on Feb 23, 2021
Recommended
Harry V on Feb 17, 2021
popeye
Murray W on Oct 20, 2020
Fruit wine making
Jeff L on Oct 9, 2020
Saw on you tube video
Doug L on Aug 27, 2020
looks good
Tony M P on Aug 23, 2020
Was suggested
Christopher j M on Jun 27, 2020
Mead
Eric J on Jun 18, 2020
recommended by friend
Holly M S on Jun 13, 2020
For wine making
Jason B on Jun 2, 2020
I need yeast, my LHBS is out of business
Michael Brierley on May 1, 2020
This item proves good quality of red wine.
Yin Min H on Dec 19, 2019
recommended
Jim G on Sep 26, 2019
you're recommendations
Mike O on Sep 19, 2019
recommended for good fermentation
Valued C on Sep 2, 2019
Works well
Danny F on Sep 2, 2019
Recommended by this site to go with the yeast.
Les H on Aug 28, 2019
Your article
Michael F on Aug 28, 2019
I'm making lemon wine with Citrus Yeast.
tristen c on Jan 17, 2023
Trying this out
Michael D on Dec 24, 2022
Can I use this at flameout?
Michael E on Nov 8, 2021
BEST ANSWER: You can, but it's better if you put it in 10 to 15 minutes before to make sure it is sterile
Reviews

5.0 / 5.0
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Rated 5 out of 5
Works great, better fermentation results.
February 23, 2023
Purchased
1 year ago
Rated 5 out of 5
Using this right away as I had wine to make up
August 22, 2020
Purchased
over 4 years ago