French liqueur Chartreuse: description, recipe and reviews

Liqueur Chartreuse (Chartreuse) is often called the French extract of longevity. His story began when the alchemists searched for the elixir of health. The taste of this drink is both sweet, spicy and spicy. It has a powerful herbal aftertaste. The liquor was produced by the Cartesian monks more than three centuries ago in a monastery not far from Grenoble. In a strong wine liquor soaked more than 130 plants, which subsequently insist for five years.

History

The appearance of the famous liqueur is covered with many legends. The beginning of everything was put by one mysterious manuscript. It was an ancient manuscript transmitted by Marshal d'Estri to the Cartesian monks. On paper, it was described how to prepare "Elixir of Longevity". All this happened in 1605. But the recipe did not interest the monks because of its complexity. So they left him in the library of the monastery and forgot about him for a hundred years.

At the beginning of the 18th century, the manuscript reached a monastery built near Grenoble. He was called La Grande-Chartreuse. The recipe began to be studied meticulously by Jerome Mabek, a local pharmacist. He spent several years deciphering the mysterious manuscript. But in the end he still created the liqueur "Chartreuse", which is distinguished by its unusual taste and medicinal qualities.

The monastery of Grand Chartreuse in 1737 began selling a miracle elixir for use with a therapeutic purpose. The drink quickly gained popularity and did not lose it today. By the next year the recipe was improved. And thus appeared the Green Chartreuse. His fortress reached 55 degrees. During its existence the "Chartreuse" liqueur underwent many changes. A lot of events were connected with him. But he remained a valuable and expensive alcoholic beverage, which was appreciated by gourmets around the world.

Chartreux in our days

The modern "Chartreuse" liqueur in all its varieties is made in the French Voiron. For its production, collections of herbs and plants harvested by two monks from the famous Grand Chartreuse monastery are used. The original recipe is kept by the brothers in the strictest secrecy. It can not be patented, which contributes to the preservation of the monopoly on the manufacture of alcohol for the Cartesian Order.

In 1970 the Chartreuse Diffusion Society was organized by the monks, and all rights to prepare and distribute Cartesian liqueurs are secured. This organization in 1989 issued a decree that all varieties of Chartreuse liqueurs should be created in an ancient monastery in the Alps, from where, in fact, they occurred.

Production

Liqueur "Chartreuse" recipe is quite complicated. It includes a lot of components. For "Green Chartreuse" it is necessary to collect about 130 names of various plants. Other types of beverage require slightly less ingredients.

The liqueur is prepared as follows: a copper tin sieve should be placed in the distillation flask, which contains 250 grams of fresh lemon mint, 150 herbage, 125 alpine blackfish, blue St. John's wort and angelica seeds. Also included here are one hundred grams of orange crusts and the same number of chicken. The recipe contains also musk grains, orange fruits, nutmegs - these ingredients are taken in quantities of 50 grams. Next the sieve must have 30 grams of Ceylon cinnamon, cardamom, celery seeds, roots of angelica, rooted root, white ginger, nutmeg color, cloves And Jamaican pepper. Finishes the composition of 25 grams of Tonkin beans, 10 - black pepper. In addition, you need 10 liters of soft water. Alcohol take three times more. His fortress is 96%.

The contents of the distillation flask are heated for eight hours. Then the resulting composition is filtered, adding 200 grams of burnt magnesia to it. Then pour sugar and bring the contents of the flask to a hundred liters. The drink is poured over oak barrels and insisted for five years.

Varieties

"Chartreuse" - liquor, the price for one bottle of which reaches ten thousand rubles, is produced in three main varieties:

1. Vegetable elixir "Grand Chartreuse". It is said that the recipe for this drink is most reminiscent of the original way of cooking. The fortress of this variant reaches 69 degrees. The burning, bitter taste of the elixir does not allow drinking it in its pure form. It is used in the preparation of various tinctures.
2. Liqueur "Chartreuse Green" with a strength of 55 degrees. It was created by monks in the XVII century. This variety is the most popular. It is used as a digestive and added to different cocktails. As a rule, this version of the liqueur is served with ice. It has a spicy taste with chords of various herbs.
3. "Yellow Chartreuse", created in 1838. Has a 40-degree fortress. A yellow shade of the drink provides the presence of saffron.

Healing qualities of Chartreuse liqueur

Due to the fact that the product is prepared on the basis of natural herbs, its positive effect on the human body was noted. If daily consumed no more than 35 grams of drink, then the metabolic processes will be accelerated, the functioning of the bile ducts and liver will be normalized, digestion will improve. Also, the liquor empowers a person with energy and strength, eliminates respiratory tract diseases, relieves spasms in the stomach and headaches.

"Chartreuse" increases the level of the body's resistance, treats cold and viral diseases, relieves bloating. The French liquor is an excellent substance for the treatment and washing of wounds, various cuts and bruises. With joint pain it can be used as a compress. "Chartreux" receives only positive feedback. The gourmets who tried it say that, despite the strength, the drink is gentle and soft. He drinks very easily. Still people assert, that the liquor is perfectly invigorated and has unsurpassed aroma. If you believe the reviews, then after drinking the drink in the evening, there will be no hangover syndrome in the morning. Users believe that it will be an excellent addition to the table for any holiday: be it a gorgeous celebration or a quiet family evening.

Cooking the liqueur at home

Liqueur "Chartreuse" at home can also be prepared. True, it will turn out a bit different than in the original. But if you can not get a real drink, then why not make it yourself? For a home recipe, you need two grams of oils: cloves, lemon, cinnamon and nutmeg flowers. People who tried the recipe say that they give the drink notes of freshness and spice. Also need to take a little more oil: 10 grams - angels, 20 - peppermint. It will take 15 liters of alcohol, 20 liters of vodka. And another 20 kilograms of sugar.

All these oils must be mixed with 15 liters of alcohol. Then on the basis of vodka and sugar it is necessary to weld the syrup. When it is ready, it is cooled and added to the alcohol mixture. Ready tincture is recommended to strain before bottling it.