What is Bison? Belarusian or Polish vodka? The Poles call her Zhubruvka. Belarusians drink Bison. In English, the bars ask for Bison Grass Vodka. This is a bitter tincture of 40 degrees fortress. Today, its production is open in Belarus and Poland.
The drink is infused with aromatic bison. This herb grows in Belovezhskaya Pushcha and serves as food for bison, so vodka has such a strange name at first glance. The color of the Bison ranges from amber to light yellow.
History
Zubrovka is vodka with a true legend, a drink with a long history and an army of fans throughout the CIS and beyond. Zubrovka is a magical memory, probably for any resident of the post-Soviet space. During the Soviet Union, she did not leave the holiday tables of all walks of life: from ordinary workers to general secretaries. Even Brezhnev revered this brand and paid due attention to its use.
The history of Zubrovka dates back to the 16th century, when it began to be produced in the Commonwealth. By the 18th century, the drink had taken root at feasts of both noble people and peasant families.
In 1926, the mass production of the drink began. In place of modern Brest in Belarus, a Polish company began to produce Zubrovka. Vodka and its mode of production was distributed throughout all civilized countries.
Even earlier, in 1884, the well-known company N. Shustov and Sons, in competition with wine production, began production of the famous Shustov tinctures: Spotykach, Erofeich, Zapekanka, Mandarin, Rowan on Brandy, "Caucasian Mountain Herbalist", "Riga Balsam". Among them was Zubrovka vodka, the producer of which was enriched on her recipe.
Grass bison
The unprepossessing blades of this grass have become famous all over the world due to the aromatization of Zubrovka, but this is not the whole area of their application. Fresh special smell of grass gives a variety of possibilities in the canning and confectionery industry. As a flavoring in some spices, to enhance the aroma and taste, the essence of this herb is well suited. The combination of fish and spices is excellent, therefore it is worth using its extract for pickling and salting herring, as well as making canned fish. The spicy smell of bison is an ideal fragrance for tobacco. Housewives rarely use grass as a spice, although finding and collecting it is easy and simple.
From ancient times it was used instead of incense in aromatic smokers, therefore it is often called the "sacred grass".
A small amount of bison improves appetite, so some grass was given to pets, especially cows to increase milk yield. Fully feed them with bison did not give a high content of toxic coumarin in its composition.
The use of grass was found even in urban planning, because its developed root system strengthened the slopes of ravines and embankments.
Traditional medicine has not found application for cramming. But traditional healers treated the grass with loss of appetite, increased lactation in young mothers, removed pain and spasms in the intestines, and improved the digestive system. It was also used for lung diseases as an anti-inflammatory agent. Bison grass can be used for tuberculosis due to its antiseptic properties.
The spice contains a substance called coumarin glycoside. Thanks to him, vodka with its extract stands out from the mass of alcoholic drinks with a unique aroma and characteristic taste. It enhances appetite and helps food to be better digested. That is why Zubrovka is an ideal addition to poultry, game, cold meat, snacks.
Coumarin
Due to the poisonous compound in the grass - coumarin, which is banned in America - import into the States of Zubrovka was stopped in 1978.
The traditional method of making this alcoholic drink involves 1-2 kg of grass per thousand liters of raw materials. This means that one liter of vodka contains 12 mg of coumarin. In 1999, Poland's distilleries recreated the export of an updated version of the drink, especially for its American fans. The new “American” Zubrovka is vodka without coumarin, containing only artificial colors and flavors, but the symbolic blade of grass still remains.
What consumers say
Zubrovka is vodka, reviews of which are more than positive. Satisfied consumers claim that they did not experience a morning hangover after a stormy feast! Rather, there is no reminder from the body that alcohol was present in it. Ladies rejoice at the drink, because the usual vodka smell is not audible, and the multifaceted taste of the herbs adds a spark to the holiday. Pricing adds benefits to Zubrovka. The average cost of a bottle of 180-250 rubles allows you to brighten up both modest gatherings in the sincere company of an old friend, and a luxurious family feast.
Finally
Zubrovka is vodka that emphasizes the values developed by years of family life, strong friendship, and taste preferences. Everyone will find in it something for themselves, whether it is the unique smell of herbs, a recipe proven over the years, a facilitated morning state or a taste of Polish festivities.