Porron facts for kids
A porró is a special glass pitcher, usually holding about 0.75 liters (around 25 fluid ounces). It comes from Catalonia, a region in northeastern Spain, and is now used in other parts of Spain too. This clever invention lets many people drink from the same pitcher without anyone's lips touching it. It's perfect for sharing drinks during meals!
Drinking from a porró needs a bit of practice. You want the drink to go into your mouth and not spill on your clothes. Some people say a porró looks like a mix between a wine bottle and a watering can. The top of the porró is narrow and can be closed with a cork. A spout sticks out from the bottom, getting thinner towards a small opening. This design helps keep the drink fresh by limiting how much air touches it.
Porróns were very common in homes until the mid-1900s, but they are less common now. They were first created as a replacement for bota bags, which are leather bags used for drinking. Porróns are often filled with red or white wine. You can also find smaller porróns with sweet dessert wines in Catalan restaurants. Because no one's lips touch the porró, it's a very clean way for a group to share a drink.
How to Drink from a Porró
Learning to drink from a porró is fun! If you're a beginner, start by holding the spout close to your mouth. Tilt the porró slowly so the spout points towards your teeth. As the liquid starts to flow, gently pull the porró away from your face while looking up.
To stop drinking, slowly bring the porró back down and closer to your mouth. At the very last moment, quickly tilt the spout up. This stops the flow and prevents spills. With more practice, you'll be able to drink from a distance without spilling a single drop!
Even though bottles and glasses are more common now, porróns are still a fun feature in many Catalan and Spanish restaurants. They are a great way for diners to test their skills and have a unique experience.
The Porró in Books
The famous writer George Orwell wrote about a porró in his book Homage to Catalonia. He described it like this:
…and drank out of a dreadful thing called a porron. A porron is a sort of glass bottle with a pointed spout from which a thin jet of wine spurts out whenever you tip it up; you can thus drink from a distance, without touching it with your lips, and it can be passed from hand to hand. I went on strike and demanded a drinking-cup as soon as I saw a porron in use. To my eye the things were altogether too like bed-bottles, especially when they were filled with white wine.
See also
In Spanish: Porrón para niños
