Tatra Tea is a liquor from Slovakia. In the past, it was a national drink for people living in the Tatra Mountains. It got its interesting name because it was really used as tea.
History of occurrence
In the distant past, Slovak residents living in the Tatras were engaged in the preparation of tea, the degree measure of which ranged from 20 to 70%. In some cases, the drink could be stronger. Despite this, it was still considered tea. Most likely, this is due to the fact that the main component for its preparation is tea leaves.
In order to make the drink stronger and as useful as possible, oak bark and various spices were added to it. Locals were warmed by fragrant tea, which contains alcohol.
Every family had an individual recipe, so each Tatra tea had its own unique properties. Not so long ago, Ian Semanek got the idea to create a brand of national tea. Initially, the drink could be found exclusively in the Slovak market. Over time, he gained popularity and appeared on the international alcohol scene. The only competitor of Tatra Tea was another national drink, which also contains alcohol - plum brandy.
Varieties of drink
The first type of tea that appeared on store shelves was its traditional version. It contained more than 50% alcohol. However, no one expected that there would be such a great demand, so the manufacturer had to expand the trading line in order to satisfy the needs of drink lovers. Jan Semanek always put quality first, not personal profit, so it is not surprising that the drink became popular.
After a while, other variants of tea liquor appeared on the shelves. Between themselves, they differed in the degree content. Among them were:
- the weakest is 22 degrees;
- medium - from 32 to 42 degrees;
- strong - from 62 to 72 degrees.
But the manufacturer of Tatra Tea did not stop there either. In addition to the tea version of the liquor, herbal and fruit appeared.
Unfortunately, in Russia at the moment there are only a few representatives of the traditional drink series.
What is it made of?
The composition of Tatra Tea contains exclusively natural ingredients, namely:
- High-quality varieties of white as well as black tea.
- Fruit extracts and distiller.
- Alcohol.
- Pure spring water.
Also in the production of tea alcoholic beverage, another 27 ingredients are used, some of which you already know. The remaining components are represented by various types of berries and herbs, for example:
Of the spices used:
To obtain the basis of "Tatra tea" it is necessary to undergo two- or three-stage maceration, after which the mixture is filtered. Then the drink needs to ripen for several months.
Now she is ready for the next step. Alcohol, which is made from beet molasses, is added to the base. Thanks to it, a sweetish taste characteristic of tea liquor is obtained.
After that, fruit extracts, distillers and sugar are added to the drink. Then it must again be left to ripen, only in this case for a month and a half.
If all the rules and conditions for the manufacture of a strong drink were observed, then after the expiration of the period you will get tea liquor, which is known for its useful properties and excellent taste.
How to drink?
Drink is usually served after lunch or dinner as a means of promoting digestion. It is preferable to use it in its pure form. However, in local institutions it is often used as an ingredient for cocktails. Tea liquor is recommended to be combined with such alcoholic drinks as:
"Tatra tea" is a drink that will warm both the body and soul. It is famous for its natural composition and quality, so it is worth a try.