Czech absinthe stands out against any strong alcohol from Europe. You can meet a genuine analogue of this drink only in a few places in Prague and (with rare exceptions) within specialized wine shops. Czech absinthe is actually a herbal tincture with a strength of over 60-80 degrees and a stupefying aroma. The Holy Trinity is the basis of the drink - a combination of three herbs, verified according to the recipe and the specifics of the distillery. This alcohol is called Datura, because its uncontrolled consumption entails detrimental effects on the central nervous system, but in small volumes absinthe is practically harmless, and the sensations from the drink are significantly different from those of any other alcohol.
Recipe Features
Czech absinthe is traditionally made according to an old recipe, excellent in each of the major cities. The basic combination of three herbs remains - wormwood, fennel and anise. The drink may also include chamomile, cloves, cinnamon, jasmine, sage and most medicinal herbs. Absinthe can not be compared with any other alcohol, since there is no fermentation process in the classical meaning of the word. Depending on the selected proportions of certain herbs, the taste palette, the subtleties of the aroma and the peculiar taste of absinthe, which has become a household name for Czechs, also vary.
However, not every tincture can be called absinthe. Is Czech wormwood liquor absinthe? No, it is inferior both in recipe features and in strength.
Cooking process
First, the main infusion of herbs goes through the aging process with pure alcohol with a strength of over 90 degrees. After that, the tincture is subjected to distillation and distillation. Shredded herbs are used to color alcohol in the saturated green color characteristic of this type of drink. Thus, the second goal is also achieved - to reveal the taste of additional ingredients, for example, lemon balm, mint, coriander or spices. Over time, the tincture changes color to brown and even golden. This means that the drink has gone through more than one distillation process and is consistent with all requirements.
Time-tested stamps
Czech absinthe is a matter of pride for the indigenous population, however, even in Prague you can easily find a fake, which is smacked among alcohol for tourists. To make its drink more attractive to travelers, the manufacturer adds dyes and various chemicals to the tincture. Such alcohol cannot be considered genuine and trustworthy. Some brands of Czech absinthe have stood the test of time and consolidated their national status.
Perhaps the most famous brand of Czech absinthe is Toulouse-Lautrec. Until 2008, alcohol of this brand retained the status of the best throughout the country. This brand is the most massive and is manufactured for export, having passed the entire certification procedure, so there is no doubt in its quality. You can meet him both in Prague and in most major cities of the Czech Republic.
Another well-known brand is L'Ancienne, whose name can be translated as "old". Alcohol under this brand is made according to all ancient traditions and in a carefully verified recipe. It is considered a "real" absinthe with the closest possible ideal proportions of the "Holy Trinity." To meet this drink is already much more difficult, you need to look specifically in the institutions of Prague and some other major cities.
Absinthe St. Antoine is the pinnacle of the triad of famous brands of Czech absinthe. Also exported, has the widest palette of taste and aromas. According to the Czechs themselves, the least harmful to the body.
Absinthe with notes of hemp
Czech absinthe “Hemp euphoria” is a newcomer to the market, which quickly gained popularity among buyers. According to the label of the drink, hemp fibers are in its composition, which increases the intoxicating effect of the use of absinthe. Directly in the Czech Republic itself, such a drink is considered an unverified novelty, since it departs from the usual norms of formulation.
The effect of absinthe on humans
Alcohol of this brand is often called the "green fairy". Czech absinthe and euphoria are two identifiable concepts. Alcohol is harmful in itself, but unlike fermentation products, the strength of which does not exceed the limit for destructive processes in the body, absinthe is harmful even in relatively small quantities. In this type of alcohol, there is another harmful substance, in addition to the decay products of ethyl, is the thujone contained in wormwood. It can cause a feeling of euphoria, contribute to the rise of well-being and even plunge the central nervous system into a state of illusory reality, as is characteristic of narcotic substances.
Is Czech absinthe made with thujone made? Yes, since wormwood is an integral part of the formulation of any absinthe. Therefore, you should use this alcohol with extreme caution. With a small dose, the person’s pupils expand, drowsiness, apathy, loss of a sense of reality appear. With an increase in dose, a person falls into the likeness of a narcotic trance, not realizing the actions and what he saw, said. He is completely captivated by illusions. With frequent use of absinthe, including Czech, a person develops dependence, dysfunctions appear in the central nervous system. If at the same time a person used absinthe of dubious quality from an unknown brand, then the risk of negative consequences increases many times.
How to use absinthe?
Czechs consider their herbal tincture a peculiar part of the cultural heritage and promote the “healthy” use of absinthe. According to their method, alcohol should be served with a small piece of sugar. Absinthe is poured into a glass for a third, sugar is moistened in tincture, and then it is burned over a glass, after it has been put on a teaspoon. When burning, it is important to ensure that sugar does not fall into the glass ahead of time and the liquid does not catch fire. After about a minute, the remaining sugar is stirred in a glass, then it is drunk in one gulp.
Glucose not only makes the tincture less bitter, it can somewhat reduce the destructive effect of absinthe on the body. For an inexperienced consumer, it is recommended to dilute the drink a little with cold water and drink absinthe already cooled. Czechs emphasize that when consuming absinthe, one should adhere to the norm, and are advised to refrain from it for people with poor health.
How to distinguish an original from a fake
Czech absinthe is considered a guarantee of quality, including thanks to a carefully verified recipe. The use of a surrogate harms the body to an immeasurably greater extent than even the most careless fakes of other alcoholic beverages. Before deciding to buy absinthe, you should carefully check the bottle for any suspicious labels or signs. If you skip this step, then you can subsequently end up in a hospital bed.
Real Czech absinthe rarely has a rich green tint of liquid. Most often it is transparent, cloudy green or even brown. It has a pronounced tart smell of herbs, but does not give off chemical or pharmaceutical preparations. The taste, despite popular belief, is bitter, but not without its softness. Good absinthe is subjected to several distillation cycles, as a result of which the frank taste of herbs is lost in admixtures of spices and floral aspects.
Attention to details
On a bottle of real Czech absinthe, as a rule, it is always written where exactly the drink was made, its composition, information about the enterprise and even fragments of the history of a particular brand are indicated. Of course, the most successful option for a person is to purchase a bottle of absinthe directly in Prague, and then ask the Czech to explain the intricacies of drinking the drink just acquired. The risk of any consequences in this case is the least likely, since the Czechs very zealously maintain a "positive" reputation for absinthe and oppose exaggerating its properties.
The Green Fairy has left its mark on the history of mankind. Absinthe is credited with the properties of the hardest drugs, including the induction of hallucinations. But also this type of alcohol is considered one of the components of creative growth, since it is it that allows you to abstract and concentrate on the idea of the creator. In any case, absinthe, like any other dope, including tobacco or alcohol, is harmless only with minimal doses. Even Czechs, who are incredibly proud of their drink, warn tourists about the dangers of absinthe.