Since there has been an Absinthe revival in many countries over the past few years, many people are seeking Absinthe info.
Absinthe is known as “La Fee Verte” or “The Green Fairy” because of its characteristic green color. Unlike the alcoholic beverages, beer and cider it is distilled usually with a wine base and lots of herbal ingredients.
The common wormwood, artemisia absinthium gives Absinthe it's name and it's distinctive bitter taste. Countries like the USA regulated the use of thujone so fake Absinthes were manufactured there which do not contain wormwood.
Absinthe is also prepared with the other herbs and essential oils like Fennel, green aniseed, star anise, hyssop, lemon balm, juniper, angelica, licorice, dittany, coriander, nutmeg and sweet flag. It is the essential oils in Absinthe that causes it to louche when mixed with water. The oils are soluble in alcohol but not in water and so cause the drink to go cloudy.
Absinthe Info about the Ban
The prohibition movement claimed that Absinthe was harmful and that drinking Absinthe led to “Absinthism” which was characterized by convulsions, fits, madness, brain damage and ultimately death. Thujone was thought to be the cause for psychedelic effects. It was assumed that Absinthe was very toxic and harmful due to a high quantity of thujone in it. Most of the countries banned Absinthe in the early 1900s.
The facts about Absinthe is entirely different from the statements given about it. High dose of thujone can be harmful. Recent studies have shown that Absinthe contain a maximum of 6mg per kg of thujone. Thujone can be dangerous only if excess amount of Absinthe is taken by a person!
Absinthe has now been legalized in most countries and there are many types and styles available:-
- Clear Absinthe – This is known as La Bleue or Blanche Absinthe and is commonly distilled in Switzerland.
- La Verte – This is traditional green Absinthe, the Green Fairy.
Due to the use of Spanish Alicante Anise Spanish Absinthe becomes sweeter than normal French or Swiss Absinthe.
- Bohemian or Czech style Absinthe – Also known as Absinth, it is a wormwood bitter, rather than an Absinthe, which does not contain other herbs such as aniseed or fennel.
A real Absinthe is that which contain thujone or wormwood.
You can also make your own Absintheby using Absinthe essences from AbsintheKit.com. The distillation process of these essences are done by using modern carbon dioxide distillation. The Absinthe can be made by dissolving it with a neutral alcohol.
AbsintheKit.com provides more Absinthe info and info about buying essences, replica spoons and Absinthe glasses.
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