Barack (brandy) facts for kids

A bottle of Barack (apricot)

Barack is a famous traditional fruit spirit from Hungary. It is made purely from fruit. Its main ingredient is the apricot. The name itself, barack, is the Hungarian word for this delicious fruit.

This apricot spirit is well-known even outside of Hungary. It is considered one of the most classic examples of an apricot brandy, a type of spirit made from distilled fruit.

How is it Made?

Making Barack is a careful process that starts with high-quality, ripe apricots.

• The fruit is first mashed into a pulp.
• This mash is then fermented. During fermentation, natural yeasts turn the fruit's sugars into a liquid containing alcohol.
• Finally, the fermented mash is distilled. Distillation involves gently heating the mash. The vapor that rises is captured and cooled, turning back into a liquid. This liquid is the concentrated essence of the fruit, known as Pálinka.

This process ensures that all the flavor comes directly from the apricots.

Fun facts

• The word barack is connected to the English word 'peach' and many similar words in other European languages. All these words can be traced back to persikos, an ancient Greek word. This Greek word meant 'Persian', because peaches were thought to come from Persia (modern-day Iran).
• In Hungary, Barack is more than just a drink; it is an important part of the culture and a symbol of hospitality.
• The quality of the drink depends entirely on the quality of the apricots used. Hungary's climate and soil are perfect for growing very flavorful and sweet apricots. One of the most famous types is the Gönci apricot, which is often used to make the finest Barack.

See also

In Spanish: Barack (licor) para niños