For many years, Riga Balsam Rigas Balzams has been one of the “sights” of Latvia and, perhaps, the main souvenir that guests of the country buy. The famous alcoholic drink with a rich bitter-sweet taste belongs to the category of beaters and is available in special ceramic containers that reliably protect the contents of the bottle from temperature and light changes. The original purpose of the product was its use as a tonic therapeutic drink.
History of the famous Riga Balsam
Abram Kunze, a pharmacist with Jewish roots, came to Russia from Germany in the 1940s (according to other sources from Poland). Initially, his profession was listed as a bookseller. At the same time, the city government is issuing a number of measures regarding pharmacies and drug manufacturers - the rules determined not only prices, but also regulated quantitative norms for the sale of alcohol and other goods. By the way, the pharmacy of that time was considered a universal place: they performed surgical operations here, people came to get a haircut, shave and, of course, drink a healing syrup.
Kunza also had to obey the law. Already in 1762, taking care of his pharmaceutical project, he creates an announcement with the following content:
It is useful in various cases, both from fever, stomach cramps, toothache and headache, burns, frostbite and dislocations, as well as with tumors, poisonous bites, broken arms and legs, especially with closed, stabbed and chopped wounds. He heals the most dangerous wounds in five, at most in six days.
Despite the loud advertising, the business did not flourish for a long time. The turning point was the arrival of Empress Catherine II, namely, a serious pain in her stomach when she stopped at the house of one ratman. Her attending physician could not help, the life of the empress hung in the balance. Then Kunze offered Rogers his balm. The Empress thanks to the drink quickly recovered and left a laudatory review of the miracle elixir. This kind of advertisement helped Abram Kunze to become a leader in fierce competition between pharmacists in Riga.
Composition of Riga Balsam
Today it is known that the recipe for an alcoholic drink includes specially prepared water, 24 ingredients, the main of which are:
- grain ethanol (higher purity);
- Blueberries
- Peruvian balsamic oil;
- cognac;
- natural honey flavoring;
- ginger;
- lingonberry;
- raspberries;
- Linden blossom;
- St. John's wort
- plant extracts;
- sugar.
Despite the fact that all the components have long been known, the exact recipe is still kept in the strictest confidence. According to the representatives of the company Latvijas balzams, only three people know the method of preparing the national drink: the master of the liquor shop and two of his apprentices.
According to reviews of Rigas Balsam, its taste is always maintained at a high level and all thanks to strict adherence to production technology and the use of only high-quality raw materials. For example, birch buds, which are also part of the composition, are harvested exclusively from Latvian birches that grow on the territory of the Kemeri Nature Reserve.
At the initial stage, the prepared infusion is kept in oak barrels for 30 days. A month later, a bitter essence is obtained (45%), whose share in the finished product will be only 4%. Later it is mixed with juices, alcohol and brandy. Add honey and burnt sugar. The last ingredient gives the balm a characteristic black color. Then the finished alcoholic beverage is poured into ceramic bottles and aged for six months. What is noteworthy, clay containers have not changed their appearance for more than a century. It not only protects the contents from the sun and temperature changes, but also is a tribute to many years of tradition.
Healing properties
As you already know, initially the balm was positioned as an elixir for all diseases. Despite the fact that the original recipe is gradually changing, over the course of many centuries the beneficial effect of the drink on the body has been repeatedly confirmed.
It is difficult to overestimate the benefits of Riga Balsam and its healing properties. It helps with colds, depression, loss of strength. Many drink the drink for preventive purposes and are used for rheumatism. The herbs included in the composition help to treat gallstone disease and gastrointestinal diseases. It also slows down the aging of the body and has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system.
Kinds
Today the main Latvian balsam production company Latvijas balzams produces 4 variants of the famous elixir:
- Riga Black is a classic drink known in Europe since 1752. The product with a strength of 45% has medicinal properties, has received worldwide recognition and won numerous awards. Available in bottles of 0.04 l. up to three liters.
- "Element". Of all the existing, perhaps only he retained the quality and uniqueness of the original recipe. The company's specialists, based on consumer preferences, had to slightly change the list of drink ingredients.
- "Currant Riga Balsam". Reviews about him are mostly laudatory and this despite the fact that they began to release him recently. The product with a strength of 30% is made on the basis of a classic balm with the addition of ginger juice and black currant. It has a pleasant taste and delicate aroma. In 2011, the product at the prestigious international competition The Liqueur Maste immediately won 2 awards: silver for taste (category "Herbal liquors and balms") and gold for the original packaging and design.
- Riga Black Balsam Cream with a 17% strength is complemented with creamy notes and has a vanilla-caramel smell.
How to drink
They use it both in pure form and as part of cocktails. Reviews about Riga Balsam are also recommended to be added to coffee or tea, or served in a separate small glass, as is done in Latvia. A drink is especially useful if consumed with green tea.
A pretty good combination is obtained with other types of alcohol. For example, locals add it to beer, brandy, cognac and other fortified drinks. However, gourmets prefer not to "spoil" the taste and use the balm in its pure form from a special liquor glass and always in one gulp. This is how you can feel the warming effect.
Latvians are not averse to experimenting, so they often add a traditional drink to milk, sweets, ice cream and other desserts. Young people like to mix it with cola, champagne and even tomato juice!
Cocktails
- Brand: mix blackcurrant juice with Riga balsam in a 1: 2 ratio. Reviews recommend drinking it a little warmed up.
- Black Cranberry: In 4 parts cranberry juice, add one part local drink.
- Black Energy: to make a cocktail, mix traditional balm with any energy drink in a 1: 4 ratio. Be sure to add ice.
- Black mojito: the name makes it clear that we will prepare a refreshing, but alcoholic drink. Combine the Rigas Balsam with four parts of Sprite. Add fruit juice to taste and add half a lime. At the end, do not forget to put crushed ice.
Where to buy and prices
Reviews about Riga Balsam recommend buying a drink in one of the specialized stores of Latvijas balzams or in large supermarkets. The points of the official manufacturer can be easily recognized by the brown inscription on a yellow background. For example, in Old Riga they are located at the addresses:
- Valnu, 21;
- Shkunyu, 16;
- Audey, 8;
- Smilshu, 16.
The cost depends on the packaging capacity and is in the range from 230 to 750 rubles. For purchases worth more than 10,000 rubles, a 10% discount is provided. The promotion applies only to purchases in company stores.
Back to the past
Knowing almost everything (and even more) about the national drink of Latvians, it is a sin not to visit another attraction of the capital - the Riga Black Magic bar. Reviews of “Magic of Riga Balsam” tell: the place is so attractive that you want to return here and once again, having heard the history of the drink, try its different variations, immersed in the atmosphere of the XVIII century. Stylized as an old pharmacy, the bar is located in the same building in which Abram Kunze was located more than three hundred years ago. In a secret laboratory, curious tourists are shown the secrets of making the famous black Rigas Balsam. The path here lies through a large wooden secret door disguised as a bookcase. Go down the creaky stairs and ... two hours watching the stunning performance of Elena and Gennady Palchevsky, dedicated to the balm. At the end, everyone will have a drink tasting in its pure form or with cocktails.
The special pride of the establishment is the recreated illusion of evoking spirits. Guess who will appear in front of you during the performance? Well, of course, Abram Kunze!
By the way, in Riga Black Magic you can not only drink, but also enjoy the taste of wonderful desserts. Nearby is a chocolate workshop, where workshops are often held on the preparation of handmade cakes and sweets.