Green Fairy Absinthe
Two names describe Absinthe “Green Fairy” or “La Fee Verte” is an alcoholic beverage that rivals wine in its appeal and popularity. Poplular and controversial at the same time it was initially developed as a tonic in the 18th century.
The strength of Absinthe, an anise flavored spirit can be guaged by the alcohol content which is 45 to 75% by volume. Emerald green color gives it the name “La Fee Verte” in French and “Green /fairy” in English. It is a distilled liquor made from herbs. Herbs that are the main ingredients include wormwood or Artemisia Absinthium, fennel and green aniseed. 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. Some manufacturers also used other herbs like calamus along with wormwood and nutmeg all these were thought to be psychoactive. Insoluble essential oils present in the herbs cause the Absinthe to louche when water is poured over the sugar. The louche effect or the clouding of Absinthe happens due to the presence of water insoluble oils.
Absinthe or the Green Fairy and the Creative World
The creative genius of the writers and painters associated with Bohemian culture and the Montmartre area of can be attributed to Absinthe. Pablo Picasso,Charles Baudelaire, Ernest Hemingway,Paul Gauguin, Edgar Degas,Vincent Van Gough and Oscar Wilde were some of the famous Absinthe drinkers. Most artists and writers believed that their inspiration was gifted by Absinthe and so was their genius. Paintings of famous painters like Van Gogh and Picasso have Absinthe and Absinthe drinkers in them such was the popularity of Absinthe.
Prohibition campaigners were looking for an excuse and they found it in Absinthe’s association with the Moulin Rouge, old Montmartre, and Bohemian sect. Absinthe got linked to alcohol addiction, family problems, and murders due to the sustained efforts of prohibition campaigners and this finally resulted in it being made illegal and banned in France in the year 1915. It escaped ban in countries like the UK, the Czech Republic, Spain, and Portugal while all other countries banned it.
Psychedelic effects after drinking the Green Fairy were blamed on thujone, a chemical present in wormwood. It was the prevaling belief that Thujone in all likelyhood was identical to THC in cannabis. Alcohol and ethanol are the main ingredients of Absinthe and thujone if any is present in very minute quantities. Research has conclusively shown that Absinthe is as safe as any other drink with high alcohol content and that thujone is not dangerous to the human body. Many studies and articles have been written on the subject. Vodka and whisky are no comparison to Absinthe, it is twice as strong as both and so drink in moderation for pleasure.
Prohibition had little effect in the Czech Republic, people enjoyed buying and drinking Absinthe served in large glasses in surroundings that were decorated with Vintage Absinthe posters. By 2008, many countries legalised Absinthe however, in the EU the thujone levels are controlled and the US only allows absinthe with trace amounts of thujone.
Absinthe bottle and absinthe essence can be ordered online if you visit AbsintheKit.com) to make your own Absinthe the Green Fairy to bottle at home. Genuine Absinthe essences and Absinthe contain the vital constiuent wormwood, however some new Absinthes created for the US market do not contain any thujone.
Two names describe Absinthe “Green Fairy” or “La Fee Verte” cocktails can use this delicious spirit just mix it with champagne to prepare a truly decandent drink! Just for your Knowledge Asinthe kit is the best way to get economical Absinthe.
