Know more about the green fairy
Two names describe Absinthe are “Green Fairy ” or “La Fee Verte “
Absinthe or La Fee Verte is a alcoholic beverage that has no parallel in history. A very famous and at the same time very controversial drink in todays time it was initially developed in the 18th century as a mere tonic.
The anise flavored spirit, Absinthe is very strong as it has 45 to 75 % alcohol by volume. It is emerald green in color, hence the name “Green Fairy” or in French “La Fee Verte”. This distilled liquor is made from herbs. Wormwood, fennel and green aniseed are the herbs that matter the most. The very famous Pernod Absinthe recipe was produced using herbs like hyssop, star anise, juniper, veronica, lemon balm, nutmeg, and dittany Henri-Louis Pernod was also the first person to commercially distill Absinthe. Calamus was used by only some manufacturers and it along with wormwood and nutmeg were thought to be psychoactive. Herbs in Absinthe release essential oils and this causes the louche effect when water is poured over the sugar on the Absinthe spoon. The water insoluble oils cause Absinthe to cloud or louche.
Absinthe the Green Fairy and the Painters
The genius of the artists and writers associated to the Bohemian culture and the Montmartre area of Paris can be attributed to the inspiration provided by Absinthe. Greats like Charles Baudelaire, Ernest Hemingway,Paul Gauguin, Edgar Degas,Vincent Van Gough and Oscar Wilde amongst many others swore by Absinthe. Absinthe gave writers and artists their inspiration and genius and many were convinced about it. Absinthe and Absinthe drinkers have even featured in the paintings of Picasso and Van Gogh.
Absinthe’s association with old Montmartre, Bohemian sect and Moulin Rouge was the excuse that prohibition campaigners were looking for. Absinthe was wrongly blamed for the murder of a family and the growing incidence of alcohol addiction, this helped the campaigners of prohibition to lobby for declaring it illegal and it was finally banned in the year 1915. Countries other than Uk, Portugal, the Czech Republic and Spain, where it was legal, banned it.
Thujone was blamed for the psychedelic effects of drinking the Green Fairy, it is a chemical present in wormwood. Cannibis has THC and Thujone was considered very similar to it. However Absinthe is mainly alcohol, ethanol, and therefore only contains minute quanitities of thujone. 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. There are many studies and articles on this subject. If you remember that it is about twice as strong as vodka or whisky and drink it with care and in moderation, it is simply a drink which gives pleasure.
Absinthe bars in the Czech Republic serving vintage style Absinthe in large classic Absinthe glasses were very popular with the people who bought and drank absinthe 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.
Absinthe bottle and absinthe essence can be ordered online if you visit AbsintheKit.com) to make your own Absinthe Green Fairy to bottle at home. Due to strict regulations Absinthes produced for US does not contain thujone, it is however present in real Absinthe and Absinthe essence as wormwood is its most important ingredient.
The Green Fairy Absinthe a truly decandent drink can be prepared with this delicious spirit by mixing it with champagne! Just for your Knowledge Asinthe kit is the best way to get economical Absinthe.
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