The green fairy is back
Posted: November 21st, 2009 | Category: Food and DrinkAbsinthe Green Fairy or La Fee Verte
Absinthe Green Fairy or La Fee Verte is a alcoholic drink that was once more popular than wine. In the 18th century it was developed as a tonic but overtime it became the most controversial and famous drinks of all times.
The strength of Absinthe, an anise flavored spirit can be guaged by the alcohol content which is 45 to 75% by volume. A beautiful emerald green color is responsible for it being called “Green Fairy” in English and “La Fee Verte” in French. This distilled liquor is made from herbs. Amongst other herbs the most important herbs are wormwood, green aniseed and fennel. The famous Pernod Absinthe recipe was first produced by Henri-Louis Pernod using herbs such as hyssop, lemon balm, veronica, juniper, nutmeg, dittany, and star anise, he also was the first person to commercially distill Absinthe. Other ingrediants such as the herb calamus were used by some manufacturers and this herb along with wormwood and nutmeg were though to be psychoactive. When water is poured over the sugar cube, the Absinthe clouds or louches this happens due to the presence of essential oils in the herbs. As the oils are water insoluble Absinthe louches or clouds when water is added to it.
Absinthe the Green Fairy and the Art Scene
Absinthe’s greatness lies in its association with great writers and painters of the Bohemian culture. Famous Absinthe lovers include Charles Baudelaire, Ernest Hemingway,Paul Gauguin, Edgar Degas,Vincent Van Gough and Oscar Wilde. Both Artists and writers were convinced that Absinthe was responsible for their inspiration and genius. So popular was Absinthe that famous painters like Van Gogh and Picasso featured Absinthe and Absinthe drinkers in their paintings.
Prohibition campaigners were looking for an excuse and they found it in Absinthe’s association with the Moulin Rouge, old Montmartre, and Bohemian sect. By 1915 prohibition campaigners had linked Absinthe to marital problems, murders, family problems this resulted in the sale of Absinthe being made illegal and it was finally banned. It escaped ban in countries like the UK, the Czech Republic, Spain, and Portugal while all other countries banned it.
Thujone, a chemical present in wormwood was blamed for the psychedelic effects of drinking the Green Fairy. It was the prevaling belief that Thujone in all likelyhood was identical to THC in cannabis. Absinthe is mainly alcohol and ethanol and hence contains minute quantities of thujone. Thujone in Absinthe is not dangerous and research has proven that the drink is as safe as any strong liquor, the danger if any is due to the high alcohol content. Many studies have been conducted and numerous articles written on the subjet. To get real pleasure drink it in moderation as it is twice as strong as vodka and whisky.
Absinthe bars in the Czech Republic serving vintage style Absinthe in large classic Absinthe glasses were very popular with the people who bought and drank absinthe during the time of prohibition. Today the US allows only absinthe with trace amounts of thujone to be sold or bought and the EU controlls the thujone levels in the absinthe sold there however, absinthe is legal in many other countries.
Visit AbsintheKit and order a bottle of absinthe or absinthe essence online.com) to make your own Absinthe or the Green Fairy to bottle at home. Real Absinthe and Absinthe essences contain the vital ingredient wormwood but some new Absinthes, produced for the US market, do not contain thujone.
Absinthe Green Fairy or La Fee Verte a truly decandent drink can be prepared with this delicious spirit by mixing it with champagne! Just for your Knowledge Asinthe kit is the best way to get economical Absinthe.