Brandy facts for kids
Brandy is a special kind of drink that contains alcohol. It is made by distilling, or heating and cooling, fermented fruit juices or fruit pulp. This process takes out the water and leaves a stronger liquid. Brandy often has a sweet taste and an amber or brown color. People usually drink it after dinner.
What is Brandy?
Brandy is a spirit, which means it's a strong alcoholic drink. It's made from fruit, most often grapes. Think of it like a concentrated fruit juice that has been changed through a special process. The word "brandy" comes from a Dutch word meaning "burnt wine," because it was originally made by heating wine.
How is Brandy Made?
Making brandy starts with fruit, usually grapes, which are crushed to make juice. This juice is then fermented, meaning yeast is added to turn the sugar into alcohol. This creates a kind of fruit wine. Next, this wine is distilled. Distillation involves heating the liquid in a special container called a still. The alcohol turns into vapor, which is then cooled back into a liquid. This new liquid is much stronger than the original fruit wine.
After distillation, most brandies are aged in wooden barrels, usually made of oak. This aging process gives brandy its color and helps it develop a smoother taste and more complex flavors. The longer it ages, the more its flavor changes.
Different Kinds of Brandy
While many brandies are made from grapes, some are made from other fruits! For example, there's apple brandy, cherry brandy, and even plum brandy. Each fruit gives the brandy a unique flavor.
Some famous types of brandy include:
- Cognac: This is a very well-known type of brandy that must be made in the Cognac region of France. It follows strict rules about how it's made and aged.
- Armagnac: Another famous French brandy, Armagnac comes from the Armagnac region. It's often distilled only once, which can give it a different flavor than Cognac.
- Brandy de Jerez: This brandy comes from Jerez, Spain. It's known for being aged in a special system called a "solera," where older and younger brandies are blended together over time.
Images for kids
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Brandy de Jerez in barrels aging
