In recent days, the news of the undersea volcanic eruption in Tonga can be said to have touched the hearts of people all over the world, and relevant experts also pointed out that a large amount of volcanic ash caused by this volcanic eruption will affect the climate, at the same time, Xiaobian got up early this morning to see that friends in beijing in the circle of friends are basking in snow, such weather, people can't help but want to want to have a cup of vodka, learn the cold way of the Russian old iron in a more cold and frozen area.
Vodka, one of the world's eight strongest spirits, originated in Eastern Europe and is now a popular alcoholic beverage around the world. But many people may only know that vodka is an important cocktail base wine, and some other basic common sense of vodka is not clear. Uncle Wine has sorted out 10 little knowledge about vodka for everyone, hoping to take everyone to get started with vodka quickly.
01
The word "Vodka" and "whisky" are very similar to those meaning water
The Russian word "Vodka" and the Polish word "wódka" are variations of the Slavic word "voda" to mean a small amount of water. In 1533, "vodka" was first mentioned in ancient Russian literature in the annals of Novgord, meaning "medicine". It is used to scrub the wound and can be taken to relieve the pain. In 1751, the official document "vodka" issued by Catherine I had the meaning of alcoholic beverages, but in the folk vodka is still called "grain wine" or often simply "wine".
It's a lot like the word whisky, which comes from the Gaelic word Uisge beatha, which means "water of life."
02
Vodka can be made almost anywhere, but it was born in Eastern Europe
Whether vodka was first born in Russia or Poland is controversial. It is said that vodka production began in Russia in the 9th century, and Poland began earlier, in the 8th century, but this is an unreliable legend.
The first written record of vodka in Poland was in a court document in 1405, while Russia did not write "vodka" on paper until 1751.
Although they all have different opinions, it is not in dispute that vodka was first born in these two Eastern European countries. However, although Russia is a major producer of vodka, Germany, Finland, Poland, the United States, Japan and other countries can now also produce high-quality vodka. Especially at the beginning of world war II, because the Russian technology of making vodka spread to the United States, the United States also became one of the major countries producing vodka.
03
Vodka can be used medicinally
Like many spirits, vodka has some medicinal applications, and was even sold as a drug to treat infertility and plague in the early days. Even in today's medical development, it has been proven to be effective in disinfection after dental and Poison Ivy scratches.
04
Vodka is not always tasteless
The production of odorless vodka is also thanks to the Kofi still (or column distiller), because most large-scale production of odorless vodka is distilled by column stills. The column stills can run continuously, and the alcohol moves continuously through the distillation system until it is stripped out of the impurities. Most vodka is distilled at least three times and filtered through charcoal, hence the reputation of vodka as "tasteless". But in fact, different vodkas can exhibit different tastes, aromas and textures.
05
The world's best-selling vodka brand was founded by a Russian farmer
This man was Pyotr Smirnov. That is the origin of the brand name of Smino Vodka (also known as Crown Vodka). Born into a family of serfs, Smirnov later started the smino vodka brand from scratch. Smitho was also a marketing genius, and in order to promote his wine, he invited the slum people to drink and paid them to beg for it in the local tavern, and finally the Semeno vodka successfully attracted people's attention.
06
Vodka can be filled with additives
Like bourbon, vodka can also use certain additives to influence the final flavor--- such as sugar, glycerin or citric acid, whose main purpose is to soften the irritation of vodka. However, you don't have to smell the additive discoloration, because the content of these additives is controlled, and the proportion of additives is quite low. (e.g. citric acid is 1000 ppm)
07
Most vodka is not made from potatoes
The most common raw materials for vodka are grains and potatoes, but the earliest vodka was not made from potatoes, as potatoes were not brought back to Europe from Peru by Spanish colonists until the 16th century. Since then, potatoes have proven to be a viable raw material for the production of vodka. However, because the vodka of potatoes cannot completely remove fusel oil, most of the raw materials of vodka are not potatoes. Vodka made from grains is generally lighter, while vodka made from potatoes is more abundant.
08
Vodka is generally drunk in two ways
One is the classical original "frozen vodka" (neatvodka), the frozen vodka is slightly viscous and has a mellow taste. Frozen vodka is usually served in small cups and a lavish drink. Another way to drink it is "mixed vodka", which is a mixture of vodka and juice concentrates, other beverages or low-alcohol drinks, served in long cups and carefully served slowly.
09
Drinking vodka in Russia, the toasting etiquette is intricate
Drinking vodka in Russia is not just a simple drink, before each drink, you have to say a new toast, and the toast is also very exquisite. During the Soviet period, toasts were often "For Stalin, cheers!" " and so on. But toasts from other periods are much more creative, whether they are blessings, jokes, famous sayings, and even incomprehensible content such as prose and poetry.
10
More distillations do not equal better vodka
While multiple distillations do make vodka cleaner and smoother, that doesn't necessarily mean it's of better quality. Over-distilled vodka loses its taste, aroma and properties. Vodka is distilled too many times, and it is possible to eventually turn the liquor into pure alcohol. Therefore, do not be superstitious about some brands' marketing words about multiple distillation and better wine quality.
I believe that after reading these 10 little knowledge, everyone has a certain understanding of vodka, right? What other little knowledge or stories about vodka do you know? Comment area and small editor to talk about it ~