Arak - a drink that is the pride of the East

In our country there are many people who do not mind passing a glass of strong alcoholic drink. Mostly we use vodka or moonshine, but what do I drink in the East? The analogy of our moonshine in many eastern states is arak. The drink has a strength of more than 40 degrees and is prepared from various products, based on the country where it is used.

History

Today the drink is popular in Central Asia and the Middle East, but appeared about three hundred years ago. Where it originated for the first time, historians do not know. One theory is that it happened in Iraq. After the arak circulated traders around the world. Another theory claims that the warriors of Genghis Khan brought the drink to the territory that they captured. Another version says that the arak came from the word "razaki". So called the kind of grapes from which the drink was prepared.

"Arak" in Arabic means "sweat". This is due to the barge distillation procedure. In this case, the distillate, when it is ready, flows down the drop along the oblong neck into the container. Thus, arak - a drink that is a tincture of distillate. It can be transparent, white, yellow or golden.

Production

Previously, the basis for the preparation of this alcohol was grape cake with sugar. Over time, began to use completely different ingredients. The alcoholic part of the drink depends on the region where it is prepared. For example, its base can consist of rice, figs, koumiss, coconut palm, plums, etc. Arak is a drink, the recipe of which varies from country to country.

First, the raw material is put to ferment, then it is distilled three times, add the badon and insist in oak barrels. Sometimes spice and honey, various herbs or plant seeds are added to the composition. In many countries there is no industrial production of this alcohol, it is made at home or at distilleries. Often the quality of cleaning from fusel oil leaves much to be desired. Therefore, do not drink a lot of it.

Use

In the East, arak is a drink of spirit, so it is diluted with cold water at the rate of 1: 2 (one part of alcohol and two parts of water). When water reacts with alcohol, it immediately acquires a white color. In some cases, the manufacturer sells a diluted product, which is originally white.

They drink it with food, good snacks with oriental spicy dishes. If alcohol is consumed after a meal, then add to coffee or tea. Sometimes fruit or nuts are served to the drink. Since arak - a beverage, whose strength in diluted form is about 20%, and it smells strongly anise, many tourists do not like the finished product.

Lebanese arak

A drink of arak Lebanese origin is considered the best in the world. It is not manufactured in factories, but is made at home. Long since Lebanese have learned to produce this alcohol by double distillation. After all the manipulations, the product should last about one year. The fortress of the ready-made drink is about 53 degrees. To prepare such araka use essential oils from the seeds of anise.

Arab arak

In Arab countries, a drink is made by distilling fermented coconut juice and rice mash. Alcohol acquires a pale yellow color and a very strong aroma. Drink turns a bit unclear.

Rice arak

The rice base for alcohol is prepared for quite a long time. After the germination of cereals, it begins to dry and mash with water for fermentation. Then distillation is carried out, which is repeated three times. The first arak received is considered to be substandard. Clean alcohol is possible after the second distillation. The third distillation allows you to get a high-quality drink. It is kept in barrels. The time spent for this procedure varies from person to person. Arak is a drink with a high alcohol content. It should turn out to be yellow or golden.

Properties

That arak is a drink alcoholic, we already learned. What properties does it have? In small amounts, it is useful for various diseases of the sexual and respiratory system, gastrointestinal disorders. Eastern medicine recommends using it to improve the protective properties of the body, normalizing blood circulation and skin rejuvenation. Patients with chronic pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system arak are harmful, since it contains an anise.

Russian version of the product

Russian version of the drink contains the following ingredients: 0.5 liters of moonshine or vodka, a teaspoon of cumin, two sprouts of badjan, a spoonful of sugar. For cooking, you need to fill spices with alcohol, close the vessel tightly. He is put in a dark place for three weeks. The temperature in the room should be up to 25 degrees. Twice in seven days, you need to shake the container.

After a while, you need to take cotton and gauze, make a filter out of them and gently strain. Then you can add sugar and mix well. Put the packaging again in a dark place for two days. Russian arak can be considered ready. It should turn yellow with the aroma of spices. If it is diluted with cold water, it will change the shade and turn white. Do not worry about it, it should be so. This is the reaction of the anise essential oil to water. Many people say that the resulting drink is similar to sambuku.

Arak today enjoys great popularity among people who live in the East. Each of the local peoples has its own recipe for the preparation of this alcohol. The taste of the drink is spicy. It is well suited for countries where the sun is warm and the weather is warm. Drink it with food with sharp aromatic products.