Absinthe the Green Fairy
Absinthe Green Fairy is a drink that has mystified generations of drinkers throughout history. Poplular and controversial at the same time it was initially developed as a tonic in the 18th century.
Anise flavored and with an alcohol content of between 45 and 75% by volume, Absinthe is incredibly strong. The French call it “La Fee Verte” and the English call it “Green Fairy” due to its emerald green color. This distilled liquor is made from herbs. Three main herbs are Artemisia Absinthium or wormwood, fennel, and green aniseed. Henri-Louis Pernod first distilled Absinthe commercially, he used herbs like star anise, juniper, lemon balm, veronica, hyssop nutmeg and dittany to produce the very famous Pernod Absinthe recipe. 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. Insoluble essential oils present in the herbs cause the Absinthe to louche when water is poured over the sugar. The louche effect or the clouding of Absinthe happens due to the presence of water insoluble oils.
The Green Fairy absinthe
Green Fairy Absinthe and the Painters
Absinthe famously inspired writers and artists who were associated with the Bohemian culture of the old Montmartre area in Paris. Famous Absinthe lovers include Charles Baudelaire, Ernest Hemingway,Paul Gauguin, Edgar Degas,Vincent Van Gough and Oscar Wilde. Genius and Inspiration were attributed by many artists and writers to Absinthe. Absinthe and Absinthe drinkers have even featured in the paintings of Picasso and Van Gogh.
Montmarte absinthe
Prohibition campaigners were on the lookout for some excuse and they found it readily in Absinthe’s association with Bohemian sect, old Montmartre and Moulin Rouge. The prohibition campaigners linked Absinthe to murders, marital discord, madness, and alcohol addiciton and this made it easy for them to get it banned in France in the year 1915. It was legal in countries like the UK, Spain, Portugal, and the Czech whereas all other countries banned it.
Thujone was blamed for the psychedelic effects of drinking the Green Fairy, it is a chemical present in wormwood. Cannibis has THC and Thujone was considered very similar to it. Thujone content is negligible in Absinthe as its main constituents are ethanol and alcohol. Research has shown that Absinthe is just as safe as any other strong liquor and that it is the alcohol content not the thujone that is dangerous. It has been a subject of countless articles and studies. Moderation and care are necessary with Absinthe as it has twice the strength of vodka and whisky, drink it with care and get the pleasure you are seeking.
Prohibition had little effect on the Czech Republic which had Absinthe bars that were decorated with vintage Absinthe posters and served Absinthe in large classic Absinthe glasses, people enjoyed buying and drinking absinthe here. Today absinthe is allowed in EU with controlled thujone levels and in the United States only absinthe with trace amouts of thujone can be sold or bought.
Visit AbsintheKit to buy absinthe bottle or absinthe essence online.com) to make your own The Green Fairy Absinthe to bottle at home. New Absinthes produced for the US market do not have thujone, they are however considered as vital ingredients in genuine Absinthe essence and Absinthes.
Green Fairy or La Fee Verte Absinthe is equally popular cocktails can use this spirit to prepare a fantastic drink – just mix this delicious spirit with champagne! Just for your Knowledge Asinthe kit is the best way to get economical Absinthe.
