Absinthe Green Fairy Facts !

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Absinthe Green Fairy has an interesting history. Developed as an elixir or tonic in the 18th century it has now become famous drinks of all time.

With 45 and 75% Alcohol by volume Absinthe is an anise flavored spirit and is pretty strong. The name “Green Fairy” or in French “La Fee Verte” is due to its emerald green appearance. A distilled liquor made from herbs. The three main herbs tend to be wormwood (Artemisia Absinthium) ,fennel (fennell) and green aniseed. Henri-Louis Pernod who is credited for first ever commercial distillation of Absinthe used other herbs produce his famous original Pernod Absinthe recipe. Other herbs such as the herb calamus in association with wormwood and nutmeg were used by some manufacturers who though this combination to be psychoactive. It is the essential oil extract from the herbs which causes Absinthe to louche when iced water is poured over the sugar on the Absinthe spoon. The oils are water insoluble and so cause the Absinthe to louche.

The Art World And Absinthe Green Fairy

Absinthe has played an important role in inspiring many artists and writers especially those who were associated with Bohemian culture of the Montmartre area of Paris. Famous Absinthe drinkers include Vincent Van Gough, Pablo Picasso, Paul Gauguin, Charles Baudelaire, Edgar Degas, Ernest Hemingway and Oscar Wilde. Many writers and artists credit Absinthe for their inspiration and genius. Painters like Van Gogh and Picasso showed Absinthe drinkers in their paintings.

Old Montmartre, the Moulin Rouge and the Bohemian sect and their association with Absinthe was just the excuse that prohibition campaigners needed. Due to the growing problem of alcohol addiction in France Absinthe was made illegal and it was banned in France in 1915. Many other countries also banned it however it remained legal in the the UK, Czech Republic, Spain and Portugal.

The chemical thujone, present in wormwood, was considered for the psychedelic effects produced by drinking the Green Fairy. Thujone was thought to be similar to THC in cannabis. 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. A lot of studies and articles have been written on the 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.

During the time of prohibition Czech Republic flourished with vintage style Absinthe in Absinthe bars where Absinthe was served in the classic Absinthe large glasses and in surroundings decorated with vintage Absinthe posters. Now, in 2008, Absinthe is legal in many countries although thujone levels are controlled in the EU and the United States only allows Absinthe with trace amounts of thujone to be bought and sold.

You can buy Absinthe online by the bottle or order Absinthe essences (visit the website AbsintheKit.com) to make your own Absinthe Green Fairy to bottle at home. Real Absinthe and Absinthe essences contain the vital ingredient wormwood but some new Absinthes, produced for the US market, do not contain thujone.

Absinthe Green Fairy is a wonderful spirit and can be used in cocktails too!

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