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Chitosan clarifier for homebrewing, front view of container.

Chitosan | CellarScience | 8 oz Container

by CellarScience
$7.99 - $7.99
$7.99
$7.99 - $7.99
$7.99

CellarScience Chitosan for Clear Wine, Cider, and Mead

CellarScience Chitosan is a liquid fining agent used after fermentation to help clear still wine, cider, mead, and other degassed fermented bases. Chitosan carries a positive charge, so it is commonly used after Kieselsol as part of a two-step clarification process.

Use chitosan when fermentation is complete and the batch tastes ready, but the liquid is still holding haze from yeast, tannin, phenolic material, or fine suspended solids. It works best after the batch has been racked off heavy sediment and fully degassed. Trapped CO2 can keep particles suspended and make finings less effective.

How chitosan works

  • Fining role: positively charged liquid clarifier for post-fermentation clearing.
  • Best fit: still wine, cider, mead, and degassed alcoholic bases that need a cleaner appearance before packaging.
  • Pairing: often used after kieselsol, which helps the two finings pull different haze-forming particles out of suspension.
  • Typical rate: CellarScience directions list 1 fl oz per 5-6 gallons; follow the current product label for your batch size.

How to use it

Degas the batch first, then add chitosan according to the label directions and stir gently but thoroughly for even contact. If you are using the two-part CellarScience clarification method, add kieselsol first, then add chitosan as the second fining. Visible clearing often starts within 12-48 hours, but the compact sediment layer should be allowed to settle before racking.

For valuable batches, unusual fruit wines, heavily tannic meads, or commercial production, run a bench trial before treating the full volume. Chitosan is shellfish-derived and is not TTB approved, so commercial producers should confirm that it fits their process and compliance needs before use.

Related clarification supplies

For the paired fining method, use this product with CellarScience Kieselsol. You can also browse our full clarifiers and finings collection for other wine, cider, mead, and beer clarification options.