Pitorro facts for kids

Pitorro is a special type of rum from Puerto Rico. People sometimes call it "moonshine rum" because it's often made at home, not in big factories. It's usually much stronger than the rum you find in stores.

Pitorro is a big part of Puerto Rican holiday traditions, especially around Christmas. It's also used to make a popular holiday drink called Coquito.

What is Pitorro?

Pitorro is a unique alcoholic drink made in Puerto Rico. It's a type of rum that people traditionally make themselves. This homemade spirit is very important to Puerto Rican culture.

Other Names for Pitorro

People in Puerto Rico have many names for this traditional drink. Some common names include pitrinche or pitriche. Another name is cañita, which means "little cane." This name comes from the thin copper tubes used to make it. Sometimes, it's called lágrima de monte, meaning "mountain tears." It can also be called lágrima de mangle, or "mangrove's tears." This is because some people make it near coastal mangroves.

Traditional Puerto Rican Spirit

Pitorro is more than just a drink; it's a part of Puerto Rican history and music. There are even traditional songs, like the plena "Los Contrabandistas," that talk about Pitorro and how it's made. This shows how deeply rooted Pitorro is in local folklore.

How Pitorro is Made

Pitorro is known for being quite strong. Its alcohol content is often higher than regular rum. While commercial rums are usually around 80 or 90 proof (40% to 45% alcohol), Pitorro can be much stronger.

Making Pitorro Special

People have many ways to make Pitorro unique. A common tradition is to "cure" the Pitorro. This means burying jugs of the spirit in the ground for a while. This process is believed to improve its taste.

Makers also add different fruits to the Pitorro to give it flavor. Some popular fruits include grapes, prunes, raisins, dates, mango, grapefruit, pineapple, and coconut. These fruits add a delicious, natural sweetness and aroma to the rum.

Rules for Making Rum

Puerto Rico is famous for making a lot of legal rum. This industry helps the island's economy a lot. Because of this, the government has rules about how rum is made and sold. The local Departamento de Hacienda (Treasury Department) and police help make sure these rules are followed.

Pitorro and Local Traditions

Even with these rules, making Pitorro at home remains a strong tradition. It's especially popular during the Christmas season. The town of Añasco, Puerto Rico is particularly well-known for its long history of Pitorro production.