Brinjevec facts for kids

Brinjevec (say "Brin-YEV-ets") is a special strong drink from Slovenia. It comes from the Karst and Brkini areas. What makes it unique is that it's made only from juniper berries. These are the small, dark blue berries you might see on juniper bushes.

Unlike other drinks that just add juniper flavor, Brinjevec is made by fermenting and then distilling only the berries. It's usually clear and transparent. People traditionally use it as a folk medicine, not just for fun. It's quite strong, with about 40% to 50% alcohol, and has a very distinct, sharp taste.

Kraški brinjevec (say "KRASH-kee Brin-YEV-ets") means 'Karst juniper brandy'. This is the special, protected version from the Karst region.

A Look Back: The History of Brinjevec

The name brinovec comes from the Slovene word brin, which means 'juniper'. So, it's literally 'juniper drink'!

Farmers in the Karst and Brkini regions have been making Kraški brinjevec for hundreds of years. People first wrote about it over 200 years ago. Locals have always valued it for its helpful effects, believing it could ease many health problems.

Making the real Kraški brinjevec is a lot of work. It takes about 100 to 150 kilograms of juniper berries to make just 10 liters of the drink! The berries are fermented and then distilled in special copper stills. Because it's so difficult and uses so many berries, it can be quite expensive.

Kraški brinjevec is so special that it's even mentioned in famous travel books like National Geographic's Taste Slovenia and Lonely Planet's Slovenia. It's seen as a wonderful traditional drink.

Sometimes, you might find brinjevec sold in bars. But often, these are not the traditional Karst kind. They might be made from other fruits with just juniper flavor added. Some people like these milder versions, but they are different from the original.

Kraški Brinjevec: A Protected Treasure

Because Kraški brinjevec is so unique, the Slovenian government decided to protect it. In 2003, they passed a law about its special origin. Then, in 2008, the European Parliament also agreed to protect it. This means that only Brinjevec made in a certain way, from the Karst region, can be called Kraški brinjevec. It's like how only sparkling wine from the Champagne region of France can be called "Champagne"!

Experts from the European Commission were very interested in how Kraški brinjevec is made. They liked that it's produced naturally, without any extra ingredients. Because of its original way of making and its special qualities, Kraški brinjevec is considered a candidate to be listed among the world's most famous drinks.

The Juniper Berry: Star of the Show

Kraški brinjevec is made from the berries of a plant called Juniperus communis. This is a spiky evergreen bush or small tree that grows in dry, rocky areas called karst. Only the female juniper plants grow berries.

Juniper berries take a long time to ripen, sometimes two or even three years! So, you might see both ripe, dark blue berries and unripe, green ones on the same bush. Ripe berries are soft, dark blue, smell fresh and fruity, and have a slightly sweet and bitter taste.

Making Brinjevec: A Step-by-Step Process

Gathering the berries is hard work. People collect them in October and November using a wooden stick and a special tool. After gathering, the berries are cleaned and ground up. Then, they are soaked in water in a sealed container for about four weeks. This step is called fermentation, where the sugars in the berries turn into alcohol.

After fermentation, the liquid is distilled in two steps using special copper stills. Copper is used because it helps make the drink taste better. During the first distillation, a special juniper oil (called brinjevo olje) is separated from the alcohol. About half a liter of this oil comes from 100 kilograms of berries! The second distillation is slow and careful. After this, the brandy needs to rest for about six months to get its smooth and balanced flavor.

Even the bottles for Kraški brinjevec have special rules about their shape and size.

Brinjevec: A Traditional Medicine

For a long time, people have used Brinjevec as a traditional folk medicine for various health issues. It is believed to help with stomach aches, indigestion, and other tummy problems by improving blood flow. It's also used to help with digestion after a meal.

In the past, women sometimes used it to help them feel better during certain times of the month. They would often rub a little juniper oil (a side product from making Brinjevec) on their lower stomach, and then take a small sip of Brinjevec. Some older people even call Brinjevec a "women's drink" because women were often in charge of the home's traditional remedies.

Inhaling the steam from boiling water with a few drops of Brinjevec can also help clear breathing passages and ease problems for people with asthma.

The juniper oil, brinjevo olje, is also very valuable. In the past, it was sold to pharmacies and is still quite expensive today. This oil is also used to add flavor to some other types of gin.

Where to Find Brinjevec

Most of the brinjevec sold in stores is made from juniper berries that come from other countries, like Bosnia-Herzegovina or Montenegro. Some of these might just be flavored alcohol and not the true Kraški brinjevec. These drinks do not have the special geographical protection.

There are several official places in Slovenia that make and sell brinjevec. But you can also buy small amounts directly from local farmers who make it for their own use, often following the old traditions.

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