No holiday can do without alcoholic beverages. And no matter how much we are told that alcohol harms health, we all continue to use it. Recently, people increasingly prefer unusual alcoholic beverages that came to us from abroad: whiskey, absinthe, scotch and the like. In this article we will talk about absinthe.
How it all began
The precursor of absinthe is the wormwood tincture, which was used by the ancient Greeks as a medicinal product. From the beginning, this drink was used only for medical purposes and was considered a panacea for all diseases. Its first name is a green fairy.
As an alcoholic drink, absinthe began to be used already in the 18th century. It was made from alcohol and wormwood tincture. For a special taste, we added different herbs. Since then, the taste has remained the same - it has a bitter taste and a strong aroma of anise and wormwood.
Industrial production of absinthe began in 1797. It was then that the first plant for its production was opened. The creator of the name was Henry-Louis Pernod. First this drink was taken in France. There, he was treated with wounds and tropical diseases. A few decades later, the ads became popular in other countries. In a short period of time he gained fame in the upper strata of society and began to be called a "drink of bohemia." They were poets and writers, who often mentioned in their creations how to drink absinthe properly. Even Picasso drew attention to this beautiful drink and created a sculpture of bronze, which he called "A glass of absinthe."
Disputes and doubts
At the beginning of the 20th century, absinthe began to fall into disgrace. Modern people began to develop the impression that excessive use of absinthe leads to mental disorders. And those who drank this drink incorrectly, suffered from nervous disorders or from incurable alcoholism. Therefore, the sale and production of the drink gradually ceased. And in many countries of Europe and completely forbade it to sell. The study began. As a result, the doctors came to disappointing conclusions. It turned out that those people who used this drink in large quantities, really suffered from hallucinations. And sometimes the consequences were much sadder - schizophrenia. For example, a case was recorded where, under the influence of absinthe and other alcohol, farmer Jean Lanfrey shot his family.
Doctors decided that the reason that influenced the psychic state of people is thujone - an etheric substance that was contained in absinthe. But over time this statement was refuted. As it turned out later, the harm to the body was not thujone, but alcohol of poor quality and its excessive shelter. Absinthe contained almost 72 percent of alcohol.
In the EU countries, the ban on the production and use of absinthe was lifted in 1981. Switzerland, the birthplace of the drink, removed the restriction of the late, in the early 21st century. And at the same time, the condition was set that the content of thujone in absinthe should not be above the norm.
The modern absinthe
Modern absinthe has the same strength as before -70 degrees. But in its production, only high-quality alcohol and other ingredients are used that comply with all norms. Ultimate, it's not talking about the fact that you can drink it immensely, because any alcohol in large quantities harms our body.
Modern absinthe can be of different colors: yellow, brown, transparent, red, light emerald and rich green. Before using absinthe diluted with water, from which it gets a hazy appearance.
Different grades of absinthe differ in quality. The most expensive and best absinthe is made from grape alcohol, cheaperseorts include ordinary alcohol with soaked leaves of wormwood. The most insubstantial absent is the one that is made from alcohol with the addition of the necessary extracts.
On the shelves of the store you can find a lot of poddelokabsenta. Recognize the forgery is very simple - it will contain a small bridle. For example, "absinthe", having a strength of 55 degrees is a sweetened wormwood tincture, in which there are no essential oils, and which has nothing common with the present absinthe. The only advantage of this drink is that it is easy to drink in comparison with vodka.
How to drink absinthe properly
If you decide to try this mysterious drink, then you need to remember a few simple rules on how to drink it right. First, you should note for yourself that absinthe is bitter, so cold water is added to it to soften the aftertaste. Water should be poured through a special holey spoon, which is a piece of brown sugar. Sugar removes a bit of bitterness, and the drink acquires a more palatable taste. The most optimal percentage for diluting the absorbent is 1: 5, that is, one part of the drink for five parts of water. If you want to completely get rid of bitterness in your mouth, then add to the absinthe a slice of lemon ilima.
From a quality absinthe you will not experience intoxication. The effect will be different. And everyone feels everything differently. Someone who drinks a bit of color, but someone is ready to turn the mountains. Some people feel fortunate and want to smile, and some can even be sad. Everything depends on the mood. Therefore, before you start absinthe, it is recommended to relieve stress, calm down and set positive emotions.
Ways of preparation of absinthe
The way that came to us from France differs from the traditional one by the proportions of water. One part of absinthe is poured into the glass, and then three pieces of cold water are poured into the special spoon with sugar.
The Czech way differs from the traditional cardinally. It does not use water. Take a spoon, heats up. After this, put a cube of brown sugar on it and pour absinthe. As a result, uvass will get a cocktail of absinthe and melted sugar. The resulting cocktail is necessary to drink a little warm.
There is also a Russian way of using this drink. Separately, syrup is prepared from sugar, and then it is diluted with a drink in the right proportions. This recipe significantly softens the bitter taste of absinthe.
Drink can be drunk and in pure form, without diluting. Only beforehand it must be strongly cooled. Then use it in small doses, not more than 30 grams at a time.
Can absinthe be dangerous?
As already mentioned above, absent contains thujone. This substance is contained in wormwood. In large quantities, it can be harmful, since it is a kind of drug. Some people who consumed too much absinthe, there were seizures of epilepsy, convulsions, there was also a disturbance of the nervous system and other unpleasant things.
Some doctors do not recommend drinking this drink constantly, since it causes dependence.
Proceeding from the foregoing, we can conclude: in small quantities absinthe is absolutely safe. It has a relaxing effect and does not harm the body. However, in large doses, it can lead to severe destruction in the body. Therefore, it is better not to abuse it.