Țuică

Ţuică (also rachiu, see rakı) is a traditional Romanian alcoholic beverage, usually made from fruits (usually plums, apples or cherry plums), or from the leftovers remaining from wine making - "ţuică de borhot". It is very popular among rural Romanians, as according to tradition, no meal may start without a shot of ţuică.

Preparation

Traditionally, ţuică is prepared from early October until early December (after wine making is complete). The process must generally be finished before Christmas, as not to leave unfinished business for the next year. If using plums or apples, they must be left for fermentation (macerare) for 6-8 weeks, in large barrels (butoaie or căldări).

According to both the tradition and the Romanian standards (SR) distillation must be done in a brass still (cazan - pictures at [1]) , using a traditional fire source (generally wood, but also charcoal). Distillation can be done inside an especially built barn (this is practiced especially in Oltenia and Wallachia) or in the outside, usually on a hill, (in Transylvania).

The temperature is controlled traditionally, by interpreting the sounds of the still and by tasting the brew at different points in the process. Usually, this process results in three grades of ţuică : very strong (or ţuică de-a-ntâia) - usually distilled twice, generally a quarter of the production, and the first to come out of the still - about 45-55% alcohol by volume, fairly similar with palinka, normal (or ţuică de-a doua), the common grade of ţuică, about one half of the production, and what most Romanians would recognize as proper ţuică - about 30-40% alcohol by volume, traditionally 35%, and weak (known as ţuică de-a treia or apă de ţuică), the last to come from the still, and with between 5-15% proof.

After distillation, ţuica may left to age between six months and ten years in oak aging barrels (the result is pearlescent yellow, has a strong aroma and is known as "Old Ţuică" - Ţuică bătrână) or may be consumed immediatley (New Ţuică - Ţuică proaspătă). The persons preparing ţuică are sometimes reffered to as ţuicari, căzănari, cazangii, but this varies depending on geographical regions.

Brands

Most ţuică is moonshine, prepared using traditional methods, both for private consumption and for sale. Although this is illegal, the government tolerates these practices, and does not consider this bootlegging, due to the nature of the drink. Most ţuică is sold in markets, fairs and even on the road edges, bottled in unlabled PET bottles. Some communities have acquired production licences and legally produce and bottle ţuică.

One of the most famous types is made from the plums that grow on the hills surrounding the town of Piteşti: "Ţuica de Piteşti", also known in the later decades as "Ochii lui Dobrin" (Dobrin's Eyes), after Nicolae Dobrin, a gifted soccer player from the 1970s, whose resounding on-pitch talent was matched only by his drinking abilities.

Another famous type is "ţuica cu fruct". This is basically a glass bottle of old ţuică containing a whole fruit (usually an apple or a pear). This is obtained by hanging empty bottles on trees in spring or early summer, and growing the fruit inside the bottle.

Consumption

Normally, ţuica is only consumed before the meal (traditionally every meal), usually alongside some telemea cheese and tomatoes. In most cases, only a shot is served. The drink is also present in all traditional parties (agape) - such as weddings, baptisms, hunting parties, harvest festivals, religious holidays, family reunions, etc. In most of rural Romania, ţuica is the usual drink to hold a toast with, rather than wine, that is almost always consumed towards the end of the party.

However, because of its cheapness and widespread presence, ţuica became a symbol of drunkness and of rural backwardness, especially when viewed by a city dweller. A modern portrayal of a modern village inhabitant almost always includes a bottle of ţuică. Production of ţuică can amount to up 5 tonnes per family per year, as the plum tree is the most widely present tree in Romanian orchards. According to the 2002/2003 census, 143,167 farms had plum trees bearing fruit covering a total area of 554 km² [2]). According to the same census, about 75% of the crop ends up as ţuică.

See Also

Palinka, a Transylvanian and Hungarian drink, very similar with ţuică. Unlike ţuică, palinka is always distilled twice, usually has 52 to 60% proof, and is never aged. In many communities, especially in Bihor and Sălaj palinka is made alongside ţuică.