Epson Salts - black pepper?

[JamesH]

Hi,

I was treating my water for tomorrow's brew earlier. It is the first time that I have used Epsom Salts but, on adding them, I realised that the Epsom Salts I had bought contained black pepper (link below):

https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/p ... /295361368

I will be brewing a strong mild (around 5.5%). At first I thought I would chuck the water away and start again but then I thought it might not actually taste too bad.

Any views on here?

Cheers,

James.

[rpruen]

Hi,

I was treating my water for tomorrow's brew earlier. It is the first time that I have used Epsom Salts but, on adding them, I realised that the Epsom Salts I had bought contained black pepper (link below):

https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/p ... /295361368

I will be brewing a strong mild (around 5.5%). At first I thought I would chuck the water away and start again but then I thought it might not actually taste too bad.

Any views on here?

Yes throw the water out and try again using a food grade Epsom Salt. Your epsom salt has linolol, perfume, and black pepper.

Who knows if it is food grade, and if not might have other contaminants. I'd not let that anywhere neer my beer!

Regards

Richard

[JamesH]

Cheers Richard,

Will do.

James.

[vacant]

Funnily enough I noticed B&M's when I was in there yesterday. It says "nothing added" and is £2/Kg. It is pharmaceutical grade.

[brewpete]

While on this sort of subject was in Aldi today and they are doing there own oxy cleaner big tub 3 pounds I think

[Northern Brewer]

Your epsom salt has linolol, perfume, and black pepper.

The only concern would be the perfume, which probably wouldn't survive the boil.

Linalool is a major component of hops such as Bravo (and also eg coriander), and eg Fuller's add black pepper to some of their speciality beers because again it shares a lot of flavours with hops.

[Kingfisher4]

Your epsom salt has linolol, perfume, and black pepper.

The only concern would be the perfume, which probably wouldn't survive the boil.

Linalool is a major component of hops such as Bravo (and also eg coriander), and eg Fuller's add black pepper to some of their speciality beers because again it shares a lot of flavours with hops.

Useful and sensible information. However, as Epsom salts at pharmaceutical or foodgrade are so cheap from many sources, I would play safe and use pure Epsom salts.

[Marshbrewer]

Agreed. As has been mentioned, the plain (non perfumed) Epson salts that B&M, etc, sell by the kg states it's good grade, and is only a few quid a kilo.

https://www.bmstores.co.uk/products/wes ... 1kg-301704

[Dave S]

On the other hand there is (almost) no need to add Epsom Salts (Magnesium Sulphate) at all. Only about 5ppm is required in a brew and most water supplies along with what's in the grain, (or malt extract) more than meets that requirement.

[Kev888]

Yes agreed Dave, unless there are any special circumstances for more, which don't immediately come to mind. Personally I only add a few ppm and even that is just making doubly sure, as there will likely already be enough. Magnesium Sulphate works out very cheaply in those quantities, even for food grade stuff.

In those quantities at least, the perfume 'probably' wouldn't have been an issue, but better safe than sorry if it is of unknown composition. So I too would have prepared fresh liquor, just to remove any doubt at all; it isn't especially wasteful at that early stage in the process. Though wort may not have been such an easy decision..