Blue Whiskey Production via Stained Cask
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for coloring whiskey are limited in achieving a blue color, as they either require restrictive additives, lengthy heat treatment processes, or result in undesirable darkening of the beverage, failing to provide a consistent consumer-desired color and efficient market differentiation.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the creation of a staining solution by mixing methylene blue with pure alcohol and water, aging it in a wooden cask, and then using the stained cask to impart a blue color to colorless whiskey, selected from corn, rye, or bourbon whiskey, without directly altering the whiskey's color source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If food coloring is added directly to whiskey to provide desired color, then the whiskey achieves the target color, but the whiskey becomes an even darker shade of undesirable brown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a stained wooden cask as an intermediary medium to transfer color to the whiskey. Instead of adding colorant directly to the whiskey, the cask is first stained with methylene blue, then the stained cask imparts the blue color to the whiskey during storage, avoiding the harmful darkening effect of direct food coloring addition
2Illumination intensity
If wood blocks are soaked in salt solution to change beverage color, then the beverage color is modified, but the process requires lengthy heat treatment at high temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-staining the wooden cask with methylene blue before storing the whiskey. The colorant is applied to the wood in advance, allowing the color to be imparted to the whiskey during the natural storage period without requiring lengthy heat treatment processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal/chemical treatment process (heat treatment at high temperature) with a simpler staining process using methylene blue solution applied to the wood, eliminating the need for extensive heat treatment while still achieving color transfer to the beverage
3Illumination intensity
If conventional caramel coloring is added to darken whiskey, then the whiskey color is enhanced, but the source of color in the distillate does not change and the process is restrictive in many countries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the wooden cask as an intermediary to transfer color to the whiskey, rather than adding colorants directly to the distillate. This indirect method of color transfer through the cask medium provides greater regulatory adaptability and versatility across different countries with varying coloring restrictions
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method effectively produces blue-colored whiskey with enhanced flavor and color, offering a unique marketing opportunity and consistent consumer appeal, while avoiding the limitations of prior art by allowing for variable blue shades and efficient aging processes.
Implementation Method 1
The staining solution is allowed to age in the wooden cask for at least 30 days. The stained cask is then used to impart a blue color to colorless whiskey
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a method of preparing a blue-colored whiskey by mixing methylene blue, pure alcohol and distilled water. This process creates a staining solution and would allow the staining solution be aged in a cask prior to adding the whiskey into the cask. The stained cask colors the whiskey solution. This whiskey making method is designed to generate blue whiskey in which the color of the distillate is not directly altered. Further, this method provides a new way of presenting such beverages to potential customers in a pleasing way that could potentially enhance market share, and provides a new method to change beverages into new and unusual colors which may provide fun and additional marketing/branding opportunities.