Amaro Averna facts for kids
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| Type | Liquor |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Italy |
| Alcohol by volume | 29% |
| Colour | Dark brown |
Amaro Averna is a popular Italian liqueur. It belongs to a group of drinks called "Amaro," which means "bitter" in Italian. This special drink is made in a town called Caltanissetta on the island of Sicily, Italy.
The drink is named after Salvatore Averna. He created the original recipe way back in 1868. Amaro Averna is seen as a traditional drink from Sicily. In 2014, a big company called Gruppo Campari bought the Averna company.
A Sweet History
Salvatore Averna was born in 1802. His family sold cloth. As he grew up in Caltanissetta, he became an important person in his community. He helped solve problems and was very kind to the Abbey of the Holy Spirit.
At this abbey, monks had a long tradition. They made special herbal drinks. These drinks were a bit bitter but tasted good. People also believed they had healthy properties. In 1859, a monk named Girolamo gave Salvatore the secret recipe for this herbal drink. Salvatore started making Averna for his friends and guests in 1868.
Royal Recognition
Salvatore's son, Francesco Averna, helped make the drink famous. He showed it at many events in Italy and other countries. In 1895, King Umberto I visited. He was so impressed that he gave Francesco a special gold pin. This showed how well-known the Sicilian bitter drink had become.
Later, in 1912, King Vittorio Emanuele III gave the Averna Company a special right. They could put the royal family's crest on their labels. This meant Averna was a supplier to the royal household! Because of all these awards, Francesco changed the label. He added all the awards and certificates. After Francesco passed away, his wife, Anna Maria, took over the company.
Growing the Business
Francesco's sons, Salvatore, Paolo, Emilio, and Michele, were the third generation to run the company. They made the business even more successful. Even with two world wars, they kept making Averna without stopping. They even started selling it to America! In 1958, the Averna Company became a bigger public company called Fratelli Averna S.p.A. A few years later, they built a new factory.
The year 1978 was very important. After 110 years, a family business became a major company in Italy. The fourth generation of the Averna family kept this success going. They also started making other products. The "Averna Group" now included the Villa Frattina winery, which makes wines. In recent years, they have also focused on selling Averna in many more countries around the world.
In 2014, the Campari Group bought the entire Fratelli Averna company. The deal was worth about 103 million Euros.
What's in it?
Amaro Averna is made by soaking herbs, roots, and citrus peels in alcohol. Then, caramel is added to it. It tastes sweet and thick, with a gentle herbal bitterness. Averna has an alcohol content of 29%. It is made and bottled in Italy.
Averna is often enjoyed after a meal to help with digestion. People usually drink it chilled, with ice, or just by itself. It is also used as an ingredient in some cocktails.
The company says the recipe uses Mediterranean herbs, just like the monks did long ago. Herbs, roots, spices, pomegranates, and essential oils from bitter oranges and lemons are gathered. They are mixed and crushed. Then, these ingredients are soaked in pure alcohol. This lets them release their flavors and smells. Once the taste is just right, the mixture is made ready to drink and put into bottles. The company says the recipe has not changed since 1868.
See also
In Spanish: Amaro Averna para niños
