Peruvian Pisco facts for kids
Pisco is a special type of grape spirit made in Peru. It has been produced there since the late 1500s. Pisco is made from fermented grape juice, similar to how wine is made, but then it is distilled. This means it is heated to separate the alcohol, making it a stronger drink.
This unique Peruvian drink has been popular for a long time. Records show that pisco was shipped from the port of Pisco to places like Europe and other parts of the Americas as early as the 1600s. By the mid-1800s, it was sent to countries such as England, Spain, Portugal, Guatemala, Panama, and the United States.
Pisco is considered one of Peru's "flagship products" (productos bandera del Perú). It is only made in certain coastal areas of Peru, up to 2,000 meters above sea level. These areas include the departments of Lima, Ica, Arequipa, Moquegua, and Tacna.
There is a disagreement between Peru and Chile about the name "pisco." In Chile, their similar drink is also called "pisco." However, Peru strongly promotes its drink as "Peruvian pisco." This is a way for Peru to highlight its national product and improve its image around the world.
What is Pisco?
The word "pisco" comes from the Southern Quechua language, which was spoken in Peru before the Spanish arrived. In this language, the word pisqu (pronounced "pis-koo") means "small birds".
The Peruvian coast is known for having many birds. These birds feed on the large amounts of fish found there, especially in an area called "Sur Chico." This area includes the valleys of the Pisco, Ica, and Grande rivers.
More than 2,000 years ago, a group of people lived in the valley of Pisco. They were famous for their pottery. During the time of the Inca Empire, these potters made special vessels called piskos.
These piskos were large clay jars or amphoras. People used them to store all kinds of liquids, including drinks. When the first grape spirit was made in Peru, it was stored in these piskos jars. Over time, the drink itself became known by the name of its container: pisco.
How Peruvian Pisco is Made
The Making Process
Making Peruvian pisco is often done by medium-sized businesses. Many of these are handicraft producers. They follow old, traditional methods to make sure the pisco is of high quality. For these producers, making pisco is not just about selling a product. It is also about pride in their family's traditions and Peru's heritage. Pisco is a very important national product for Peru.
See also
In Spanish: Pisco del Perú para niños
