Absinthe Wormwood

No drink in the history of mankind continues to be so vilified as absinthe. Absinthe continues to be shrouded in mystery mainly because of the wormwood component that is essential to make absinthe. Absinthe, one of the best of liquors ever produced had been wrongfully banned for nearly a century, is making a grand comeback in many European countries as more and more governments are yet again legalizing absinthe http://absintheflavoring.com. Latest new discoveries have proved rather conclusively that absinthe does not contain harmful levels of thujone.

Absinthe is made of several herbs, the chief herbs being wormwood or Artemisia absinthium, anise, and fennel these three herbs are the major herbs and are generally referred as the “holy trinity”. Another list of herbs can be used for enhancing absinthe’s taste and the last number of herbs is utilized for aroma and flavor. The taste enhancing herbs involve calamus, hyssop, star anise, angelica and coriander. Herbs such as Roman wormwood, Melissa, Roman chamomile, veronica, and mint are employed for adding color, aroma, and flavor.

Of all the herbs the most important is wormwood or grande wormwood (Artemisia absinthium). Wormwood is the principal constituent in absinthe that quite definitely defines absinthe. It is bitter to taste and possesses a chemical compound thujone, thujone is known to be responsible for absinthe’s unique effects.

Wormwood is indigenous to the Mediterranean areas of Europe and Asia; however, it also grows in several parts of North America. Wormwood grown from the alpine slopes is recognized as the most beneficial. Ideally, the wormwood plant is harvested right before flowering as the thujone content in the plant is the highest at this time. Wormwood is known for its medicinal properties and has been utilized to treat a number of gastrointestinal ailments for thousands of years. The wormwood plant was also utilized to stimulate appetite.

A French doctor Dr. Pierre Ordinaire formulated absinthe as a digestive tonic in the late 18th century. Absinthe had high alcohol content and very quickly took over as the favorite drink of Europeans. One of the reasons for its reputation was that it offered drinkers a clear headed inebriation unlike any other drink at that time. It was a very popular drink amongst writers and artists. However, as a result of some unsubstantiated rumors and misunderstandings, prevalent throughout the temperance movement in Europe, absinthe was banned by most countries in Western Europe.

In the last decade of the twentieth century several studies performed by various scientists conclusively proved that the thujone content in pre-ban absinthe was within tolerable limits. Since then several countries have legalized absinthe and it is now freely accessible in most European countries. The United States will continue to ban absinthe and deprive its citizens the satisfaction of tasting this fine liquor.

Fortunately for Americans possession and consumption of absinthe isn’t a crime. US citizens can buy absinthe on the web from non-US manufacturers click here. The most effective way is to purchase absinthe kits or absinthe essence online and prepare their own personal absinthe. Absinthe accessories such as absinthe glasses, spoons, absinthe fountains, and labels can also be in great demand due to their historical significance.

Absinthekit.com is the finest place on the net where one can get excellent deals on genuine absinthe essence, absinthe kits, and also other absinthe accessories.