Țuică

Tuica (pronounced / ' ʦuj.kə / ) is a traditional spirit from Romania. Tuica is made exclusively of various plum species. Spirits that are distilled from fermented fruit other, called " Rachiu " or " palinca ".

Production

Tuica is produced from early October to early December, the manufacturing process should be completed by Christmas. The production is up to the " Ţuicăr " ( names often differ regionally due from ). The distillation process occurs either in a specially designed barn or outdoors. The plums are first 6-8 weeks in large vats ( butoaie / Caldari ) fermented ( macerare ). For a distillation pot still made ​​of brass is used traditionally heated with a wood fire. The temperature controlling and optimizing during the distillation process occurs with the aid of acoustic signals of the internal bladder as well as several times the cost of suds during manufacturing. This Tuica resulted in three different degrees of severity:

  • A quarter is strong Tuica ( tuica de -a- ntâia ) with an alcohol content of 45-55 % by volume. It is the first distillate from the pot still. Usually tuica DE-A- ntâia is distilled twice and has a strong similarity to the " palinca ".
  • The half is ordinary Tuica ( tuica de -a doua ) with an alcohol content of 30-40 % by volume. It is the usual Tuica that is most consumed.
  • Weak Tuica ( tuica de -a treia or apă de tuica ) with an alcohol content of 5-15 % by volume is created last.

Tuica determined after distillation for immediate consumption, as " fresh Tuica " ( tuica proaspătă ) refers. For storage purposes, certain Tuica matures between six months and ten years in oak barrels. It is as "old Tuica " ( tuica Batrana ) refers. After completion of the ripening process, it has a strong flavor with shiny golden color.

High quality Tuica must never fold it to the white or opaque when mixed with water.

Sales and trading

The most traded Tuica is burnt black. It is often sold at markets, fairs or on the street in unlabeled PET bottles. Although the Romanian government is known, the trade is largely tolerated because the Tuica the status of a national drink plays. From the enjoyment of Tuica from an unknown source is warned. Not purely made ​​Tuica can cause serious damage to the health. Some Romanian municipalities have purchased a license and market legal Tuica.

The most famous brand is Tuica " Tuica de Piteşti ". It is named after the mountains that surround the Romanian city of Piteşti and on which the plums grow for this brand. Later it was " Tuica de Piteşti " in " Ochii lui Dobrin " (Eng. " Dobrins eyes " ) renamed after Nicolae Dobrin, a famous Romanian footballer of the 1970s, and marketed under this name.

Widely available is also " Tuica cu fruct ". A bottle tuica Batrana contains the Tuica also a whole fruit, usually a pear or an apple. This is achieved by the empty bottle is placed with tuica Batrana in summer or spring on the expectant fruit before filling, which then continues to grow in the bottle.

Consumption

Traditionally, a glass Tuica is served before each meal, along with Telemea cheese and tomatoes as an appetizer. Regional also be eaten bread and bacon to it. Another use of Tuica as a welcome drink for guests. In the cold season it is cooked with sugar, pepper and grated lemon peel offered by type of mulled wine.

Also, he must on no ceremony like marriage, baptism, harvest festivals, family gatherings, funerals, etc.. So offers during the marriage ceremony the bride's father each guest a glass of Tuica, then assemble a toast to the happiness of the newlyweds with all. The spreading of toasts always happens with Tuica, never with wine. This is usually drunk only towards the end of a celebration.

At the end of an Orthodox funeral a piece of bread is served with a glass of Tuica to drink "on the soul " of the deceased at the exit of the cemetery. Something Tuica is spilled on the ground, accompanied by the statement " May God be / receive for it him" ( " Dumnezeu sa -i primeasca ") before the rest of the glass is emptied. During the funeral feast stranger food and drink will be served, so that the deceased get this in the afterlife.

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