Absinthe spoon facts for kids

Absinthe spoons

An absinthe spoon is a special tool used a long time ago. It was placed over a glass to help prepare a drink called absinthe. These spoons have small holes in them. People would put a sugar cube on the spoon, and then pour cold water over the sugar. The water would drip through the sugar and the holes into the glass, mixing with the drink. This process was called "louche" and it helped to dilute and sweeten the absinthe.

What is an Absinthe Spoon?

Absinthe spoons are not like regular spoons you use for eating. They are designed with a flat, often decorative, surface that has many small holes or slits. Their main job was to hold a sugar cube right above a glass. This allowed water to slowly dissolve the sugar and mix it into the drink below.

Why were Absinthe Spoons Used?

Absinthe was a very strong drink. To make it taste better and less strong, people added sugar and water. The spoon made this process easy and elegant. It was part of a special ritual that people followed when preparing the drink. This ritual was popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Different Types of Absinthe Spoons

There were many different designs for absinthe spoons. Some were simple, while others were very fancy. They could be made from different metals like silver or brass. Some spoons had unique shapes, like leaves or animals, and were often collected as art.

• Simple Spoons: These were basic designs with just a flat, perforated surface.
• Decorative Spoons: Many spoons had beautiful patterns, engravings, or even small figures on them.
• Combination Tools: Some spoons were part of a larger tool that might also include a stirrer or a small fork.

The Absinthe Ritual

Using an absinthe spoon was part of a well-known ritual. First, a glass of absinthe was poured. Then, an absinthe spoon was placed on top of the glass. A sugar cube was put on the spoon. Finally, cold water was slowly dripped over the sugar cube. This made the sugar dissolve and mix with the absinthe, changing its color to a cloudy, milky white. This change was called the "louche effect."

When were Absinthe Spoons Popular?

Absinthe spoons were most popular during the "Belle Époque" era. This was a time of peace and prosperity in Europe, especially in France, from the late 19th century until World War I. Many artists and writers enjoyed absinthe and its ritual. However, absinthe became less popular and was even banned in many countries in the early 20th century. This was due to concerns about its effects.

Absinthe Spoons Today

Today, absinthe spoons are mostly collector's items. People who are interested in history or unique kitchen tools might collect them. They are a reminder of a past era and a specific way of preparing a drink. While absinthe is now legal in many places again, the traditional ritual with the spoon is still a part of its history.

Images for kids

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  A long, "iced-tea" type spoon, showing its sieve-like handle.

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  A rare six-spigot Legler Pernod absinthe fountain, used to drip water over the sugar.

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  Two types of absinthe glasses: a Swirl glass (left) and a Pontarlier reservoir glass (right).