Absinthe or the Green Fairy
Absinthe the Green Fairy or La Fee Verte is also one of the most celebrated alcoholic beverage in history. Initially developed as a tonic in the 18th century it is the most famous and controversial drink of all times.
A strong spirit with ansie flavor, Absinthe has between 45 and 75% alcohol by volume. It is called “La Fee Verte” or “Green Fairy” due to its emerald green color. Liquor made from herbs it is also distilled. The three main herbs tend to be wormwood (Artemisia Absinthium), green aniseed and fennel (fennell). The famous Pernod Absinthe recipe was first produced by Henri-Louis Pernod using herbs such as hyssop, lemon balm, veronica, juniper, nutmeg, dittany, and star anise, he also was the first person to commercially distill Absinthe. There was a thought that herbs such as wormwood, nutmeg and calamus, which only some manufacturers used, were psychoactive. Essential oils in the herbs that are the ingredients of Absinthe are not water soluble and hence you see the louche effect when water is poured over the sugar on the Absinthe spoon. Louche or clouding of Absinthe happens due to the presence of oils which are not water soluble.
Green Fairy Absinthe and the Art World
Artists and Writers of the Bohemian culture were inspired by Absinthe’s magical properties. Greats like Charles Baudelaire, Ernest Hemingway,Paul Gauguin, Edgar Degas,Vincent Van Gough and Oscar Wilde amongst many others swore by Absinthe. Writers and Artists were convinced that their genius and inspiration came from Absinthe. Painters like Van Gogh and Picasso even featured Absinthe and Absinthe drinkers in their paintings.
Absinthe’s association with old Montmartre, the Moulin Rouge and the Bohemian sect, was just the excuse that prohibition campaigners needed. Having successfully linked it to murders, family problems and alcohol addiciton campaigners got Absinthe declared illegal and it was finally banned in 1915. Other countries also banned it but it remained legal in the Czech Republic, the UK, Spain and Portugal.
The chemical thujone, present in wormwood, was blamed for the psychedelic effects of drinking the Green Fairy. Thujone and THC, present in cannabis, were considered similar. 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. Many studies have been conducted and numerous articles written on the subjet. Moderation and care is recommended as it is twice as strong a whiky and vodka.
Absinthe served in large glasses and surroundings decorated with vintage Absinthe posters was patronised by many people in the Czech Republic during the time of prohibition. Absinthe has attained legal status in many countries, the EU controlls the thujone levels whereas the United States allows only trace amounts of thujone in the absinthe sold or purchased.
A bottle of absinthe or absinthe can be ordered from the website AbsintheKit.com) to make your own Absinthe the Green Fairy to bottle at home. Absinthes produced for the US market do not contain thujone, however, the real Absinthe and Absinthe essences certainly contain wormwood.
The Green Fairy Absinthe is a delicious spirit and can be used in cocktails too – mix with champagne for a truly decadent drink! Just for your Knowledge Asinthe kit is the best way to get economical Absinthe.
