What?
Where?
How?
Absinthe is historically described
as a distilled, highly alcoholic (45–74% ABV / 90-148 proof) beverage.
It is an anise-flavoured spirit derived from botanicals, including the
flowers and leaves of Artemisia absinthium (a.k.a. "grand wormwood"),
together with green anise, sweet fennel, and other medicinal and
culinary herbs. Absinthe traditionally has a natural green colour but
may also be colourless. It is commonly referred to in historical
literature as "la fée verte" (the green fairy). Although it is
sometimes mistakenly referred to as a liqueur, absinthe is not
traditionally bottled with added sugar, and is therefore classified as
a spirit. Absinthe is traditionally bottled at a high level of alcohol
by volume, but is normally diluted with water prior to being consumed.
Absinthe originated in the canton
of Neuchâtel in Switzerland in the late 18th century. It rose to great
popularity as an alcoholic drink in late 19th- and early 20th-century
France, particularly among Parisian artists and writers. Owing in part
to its association with bohemian culture, the consumption of absinthe
was opposed by social conservatives and prohibitionists.
Absinthe has often been portrayed as
a dangerously addictive psychoactive drug. The chemical compound
thujone, although present in the spirit in only trace amounts, was
blamed for its alleged harmful effects. By 1915, absinthe had been
banned in the United States and in much of Europe, including France,
the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and Austria-Hungary. Although
absinthe was vilified, it has not been demonstrated to be any more
dangerous than ordinary spirits. Any psychoactive properties attributed
to absinthe, apart from that of the alcohol, have been much
exaggerated. A revival of absinthe began in the 1990s, following the
adoption of modern European Union law food and beverage laws that
removed longstanding barriers to its production and sale. By the early
21st century, nearly 200 brands of absinthe were being produced in a
dozen countries, most notably in France, Switzerland, Australia, USA,
Spain, and the Czech Republic.
Many
of the famous writers and painters during the "Belle Epoque" were
constant and heavy absinthe drinkers. If absinthe helped some in their
creativity remains unknown but for many it did just the opposite. However, many
were heavy drinkers of anything alcohol, that we know. Either
way, many great books, poems and plays have been written by these authors,
and many beautiful paintings and sculptures have been created by the people
imbibing many absinthes. So maybe it did count for something.
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