Gentian (spirit)

A bottle of Gentian schnapps with a flip-top closure

Gentian (also: Gentian spirit or Gentian schnapps) is a distilled alcoholic beverage originating in the Alpine region, produced using gentian root.

Many curative properties are attributed to this aromatic and bitter spirit; it is often taken for digestive problems.

Production

Despite the perception that the spirit is produced with gentian flowers (which are depicted in the labeling by many producers), Gentian is actually produced using gentian root,^[1] most commonly the yellow gentian, which is a larger variety. Less commonly, the roots from other flowers from the Gentian genus are used, such as the purple gentian, brown gentian, or spotted gentian. The harvesting of gentian from the wild is strictly controlled; as a result, fields are planted with the specific purpose of being harvested. In both the EU and Switzerland, the alcoholic strength of Gentian must be at least 37.5 percent alcohol by volume.^[2][3]

The oldest Gentian distillery in Germany is the Enzianbrennerei Grassl in Berchtesgaden.

References

1. ↑ Directive 110 of 15 January 2008 on the definition, description, presentation, labelling and the protection of geographical indications of spirit drinks and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 1576/89, §18(a)
2. ↑ Directive 110 of 15 January 2008 on the definition, description, presentation, labelling and the protection of geographical indications of spirit drinks and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 1576/89, §18(b)
3. ↑ (German) Minimum Alcohol Content of Spirits – The Federal Government of the Swiss Confederation