Cantueso facts for kids

Cantueso is a special sweet drink from the Spanish province of Alicante. It's a type of liquor, which means it's an alcoholic drink made by a process called distillation.

It has a very sweet taste and can be clear or a brownish-gray color. People usually enjoy Cantueso after a meal because of its sweet flavor.

What is Cantueso?

Cantueso is a unique drink made from a plant called thyme. Specifically, it uses the flowers and the small stems (called peduncles) of a special type of thyme known as Thymus moroderi. These plant parts are mixed with grain alcohol and then put through a process called distillation.

How is it Made?

Distillation is a way to separate liquids by heating them and then cooling the vapor. For Cantueso, this process helps to get the flavors and essences from the thyme plant. After distillation, the drink usually has between 25% and 35% alcohol. It also has a lot of sugar, about 100 grams per liter, which gives it its very sweet taste.

Once it's made, Cantueso needs to rest for at least two months. After that, it gets even better by aging in wooden barrels for at least two years. This aging process helps to develop its unique flavor.

Where Does it Come From?

Cantueso is a traditional drink from the Alicante region in Spain. Its production is carefully controlled by a special rule called "denominación de origen," which means "protected designation of origin." This rule makes sure that only drinks made in a specific way and from a specific area can be called Cantueso.

This rule also protects other traditional drinks from Alicante, like anise paloma, herbero, and the café licor from a town called Alcoy. This helps to keep the quality and tradition of these special Spanish drinks.