Curaçao (liqueur)

Curaçao are orange liqueurs, which are named after the island of Curacao, Venezuela ahead. In its original form, these liquors are made from the shells of a characteristic for the island of bitter orange variety. Termed Triple Sec Curaçao liqueurs have a higher alcohol content, typical and well-known representative of this group is Cointreau.

History

After the Spaniards had discovered the island in 1499, they tried to grow there from 1527 oranges; However, the trees could not tolerate the local soil and weather conditions, their fruits were inedible. As then, the plantations were abandoned, overgrown the orange trees, so that its own bitter orange subspecies originated. These so-called " Curacao fruit" is a separate subspecies of bitter orange (Citrus aurantium currassuviensis ).

Over time (exact dates unknown) was it concluded that the dried shells contain essential oils with a very intense aroma, which are among other things for the production of spirits with orange flavor.

In the 19th century such liquors were very popular in France in 1834 came the Triple Sec, Cointreau after 1875 and 1880 the Grand Marnier. On the island, a larger production, however, was raised in 1896 (Curaçao Curaçao from the distillery of the family senior).

Production

The dried peel of normal oranges, bitter oranges or real Laraha ( growing on the island of Curacao oranges ) are inserted into alcohol, which dissolves out the flavors. Also artificial flavors may be used.

Overall, the range is very large in Curaçao and ranges from simple grain with orange flavor - which is primarily intended for long drinks - to high-quality products; this one can also enjoy pure. Your alcohol content ranges from about 20 to 40% by volume

Varieties, colors and brands

Curaçao have a minimum alcohol content of 20 percent by volume; Orange Liquor with 30 percent or more are against it as " triple sec " ( according to an old brand of orange liqueur; French literally means " triple dry" ) called or "triple orange", such as the well-known brands Cointreau, Grand Marnier and Bols.

Many manufacturers have also colored variants in their range. They were taken at a time on the market than classic cocktails hardly were in demand and many customers more options for the color design of mixed drinks had a higher priority than its gustatory quality. Besides red and green is best known for the blue Curacao, for example, with the brilliant blue FCF ( E 133 ) or Patent Blue V ( E 131 ) is intensely colored blue. He made it possible for the first time to give cocktails a blue color, otherwise there were no blue ingredient.

To use the success of Curaçao also for non-alcoholic mixed drinks, the flavor has been adapted for use in the manufacture of Curacao syrup. However, here is the blue colored variant far more successful than the clear.

The term " Curacao " is not a protected designation of origin, so that liquors are made with this name around the world. On the island of Curaçao itself still exists a single distillery, which produces a Curaçao, the - is called " Curacao of Curacao " - because of the lack of protection of the name.