Queimada (drink)

The Queimada is a custom order an alcoholic hot drink of Galician cuisine and belongs to the Galician folklore. The end of the 1950s resulting party ritual among other Celtic roots, healing powers and protection from evil spirits are attributed.

Introduction

The Queimada is a mixed drink made from the raw materials pomace brandy and sugar. Due to the Flambierens as well as preparation and enjoyment in a group of Feuerzangenbowle it is comparable. Starting from a basic recipe local or personal variants are mixed. During preparation, the Queimada is discussed with a Conxuro mentioned incantation that will together with fire " purify" the drink and ward off evil spirits. The recourse to moments of the Galician folk belief in the invocation of the defense forces as well as preparation and common enjoyment to strengthen friendship and solidarity with Galicia indicate the origin of the custom within Galician emigrants.

Ingredients and preparation

In addition to the main parts sugar and aguardiente de Pomace - the Galician grape marc - are thinly sliced ​​lemon or orange peel in the Queimada. Although purists reject it as " poison", some coffee beans are added or depending on the local use apple slices, raisins or other ingredients often.

In some areas of Galicia, the Queimada is produced in a pumpkin. To this end, the top of which is cut off and the loose parts removed. When cooking the pumpkin flavor are from the Queimada so that it is vascular and trimming at the same time. Mostly the Queimada but cooked in an earthen brazier, whose original form dates back to the potter Tito Freire.

At a liter of liquor you are 120 grams of sugar, grated lemon peel, coffee beans, etc. can be added at will, then the mixture is stirred. With a smaller vessel, usually it is the stirring spoon, one draws a certain amount, while avoiding other ingredients as alcohol and sugar dissolved. Saturate the edges and ignites the solution. Even burning the fire is introduced into the large blood vessel until the flames have spread to the entire surface. Now you can draw the liquid and leave it burning slowly flow back, so that evolve flames cascade. Furthermore, filling the stirring spoon with sugar and melt it over the flames to caramel. This is allowed to run into the flames and stir, then. The flame scooping is repeated until the alcohol is almost burnt and just burn the edges of the shell.

If the flames slowly begin to fade, the Queimada is summoned with the Conxuro. After complete extinguishing of the flame the drink inclusive of all ingredients is served hot. Partially must again flames are blown out, which may have salvaged when pouring into the cups.

Conxuro or Esconxuro

The Conxuro is recited in a loud voice and to expel evil spirits and witches. In addition to the presented here, there are other variants.

Galician

Customs

The whole ritual of preparation is directed to evil spirits and witches of the Galician folk belief that Meigas keep. The Meigas try to curse, according to tradition, women and men. They do this for fun, revenge, due to a previous deed or from almost any other subject. Therefore, every opportunity for a good Queimada: parties, family reunions or gatherings with friends. The custom is that the audience after dinner, in the dark of night - a good time and good optical background - the brazier gather to collect the hearts and strengthen the bonds of friendship. One raises the burning liquid in the spoon and leaves it flaming, dripping drop by drop into the bowl while he speaks the Conxuro.

The darkness, the connectedness, the evocative words and the moving flames thereby creating a special atmosphere.

History

The origins of the drink are unknown. The popular dating to the Celtic period, however, as Carlos Alonso del Real, professor, has been demonstrated for early history at the University of Santiago de Compostela, untenable. The results from the lack of distilled alcohol before the introduction of the alembic in the Iberian Peninsula by the Arabs in the 12th or 13th century. He also denies the occurrence of the Queimada prior to the dissemination of cane sugar. This second principal component also came with the Moors to Spain. The anthropologist Xosé Manuel González Reboredo writes that the consumption of distilled alcohol in rural Galicia was common, for example, he was occupied as a home remedy for common cold. The Shot - because of the agricultural situation most of pomace brandy Pomace - was not then lighted and the enjoyment had no symbolic function. In the 1950s González Reboredo dated the moment, started at the abroad or outside of Galicia in Spain living Galicians to drink the brandy on their common festivals or using Community food. He thereby has accompanying recitations - even impromptu recitations - or theatrical acts towards that should serve the strengths of the sense of community and attachment to the homeland, and can be regarded as a precursor of Conxuro. In this context, the kindling of brandy must have been. The custom spread so quickly that the potter Tito Freire from Mondoñedo 1955, the burn pot and small cups with handles designed in which the Queimada is still prepared respectively enjoyed. To understand the one hand, the Galician Celtic -influenced folk belief must be considered with his cosmos of mystical phenomena such as the restless ghost of Santa Compaña or meiga -called witches. The second major role is played by the forced emigration mostly for economic reasons, which later resulted in several waves to South America or Western Europe. The country connected Galicians responded with great nostalgia, merger landmannschaft union associations locally and intensive care relationship to the home country.

History of Conxuro

The passage quoted above and today most widely used version of the Conxuro or Esconxuro was invented in 1967 by Mariano Marcos abalone in Vigo for a party, as they often took place at this time seized and moored in the city's harbor ships. 1974 added its creator a reference to Satan and Beelzebub and began the Conxuro in the nightclub Fausto use in Vigo. At the same time began a Vigueser print shop to print the Conxuro and sell. First one worked without authorization, later you paid a peseta per sold copy to the author. The success was jump up other printers on the train who sold the Conxuro without any consultation with Marcos and did not even mention his authorship. This fact may have contributed to a general belief in an anonymous authors arose. It was not until 2001, Mariano Marcos abalone decided to register the Conxuro as intellectual property.