Petimezi is made from condensed grape must and refers to the
fresh juice of crushed grapes, which also includes the skin, seeds, and the
solid substances of the berries. In the past, grape must was obtained by the
stumping of grapes. This traditional technique has now been replaced by modern
pressing methods. The solid substances of must constitute usually 7 to 23% of
its total weight. The production of must is the first stage of making wine.
Petimezi is the result of boiling and condensing must. Petimezi can replace
sugar in sweets and beverages. It can also be used to make a homemade soft drink
(one part petimezi and 3 parts iced water). It can also be added as aromatic
syrup on yoghurt and ice creams.
Petimezi consists of water, sugars such as sucrose (common table sugar), glucose and fructose, organic and inorganic acids (tartaric, malic and phosphoric acids), yeasts, nitrogen compounds in the form of nitrates, pectins in the form of polysaccharides, pigments (anthocyanins and flavones), and aromatic compounds. Petimezi also contains vitamins A and C, B vitamins, minerals like potassium, calcium, phosphorus and iron, phenols and antioxidants.