Tsipouro facts for kids
Tsipouro (pronounced tsee-POO-roh) is a special type of strong drink from Greece. It's a bit like a brandy, but it's usually not aged in wooden barrels. You can find it in areas like Thessaly, Epirus, Macedonia, and on the island of Crete. On Crete, people often call it tsikoudia.
Tsipouro is a distilled spirit, which means it's made by heating and cooling liquids to separate alcohol. It usually has about 40–45% alcohol by volume. It's made from the leftover parts of grapes after they've been pressed to make wine. These leftovers are called pomace. Sometimes, it's also made from the wine itself. Tsipouro can be plain or have an anise flavor, which tastes a bit like licorice.
History of Tsipouro
People believe that Tsipouro was first made a long, long time ago, around the 14th century. The story says that Greek Orthodox monks on Mount Athos in Macedonia, Greece, were the first to create this drink.
How Tsipouro is Made
Making Tsipouro starts with ripe, dark grapes. First, these grapes are put through machines that crush them and remove their stems. The crushed grapes are then left for a few days. This allows a process called fermentation to begin, where sugars turn into alcohol.
In the past, people would take out the grape juice to make wine. Only the solid leftovers (pomace) were used for Tsipouro. But today, some producers use all the grape pulp, even the juice. This makes a higher-quality product called "apostagma."
Next, the grape mixture goes into special machines called distillation units. Here, the temperature and pressure are carefully watched. The very first and last parts of the liquid that come out are thrown away. Only the middle part, called the "heart," is kept to make Tsipouro. Sometimes, this process is done twice to make an even better, "doubly distilled" Tsipouro.
Finally, the finished liquid is stored in stainless steel tanks to settle and become ready. Some types of Tsipouro are aged in wooden barrels. This creates "aged Tsipouro," which is a newer kind of drink that can be compared to whiskey.
Enjoying Tsipouro
People enjoy Tsipouro at different times of the year and day. It can be a refreshing drink or a warm beverage. Sometimes, it takes the place of coffee or wine. Like many alcoholic beverages in Greece, Tsipouro is usually enjoyed when people gather socially.
Greek makers suggest drinking Tsipouro straight from the fridge. Some people like to add a little water or ice to it.
Tsipouro is often served in small shot glasses. It usually comes with meze, which are small side dishes. These can include things like nuts, dried fruit, cheese, olives, seafood, or a type of dry bread called paximadi.
In 2006, Tsipouro was officially recognized as a PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) product by Greece. This means it's a special product linked to its specific Greek origin.
Tsipouro and Ouzo
You can find Tsipouro that tastes like anise, especially in Macedonia and Thessaly. Anise-flavored Tsipouro and ouzo taste very similar. However, they are made in different ways.
Ouzo is made using a very pure alcohol (96% alcohol). This means it doesn't keep the flavors from the original plants it was made from. Tsipouro, on the other hand, is distilled less. This allows it to keep the natural flavors and smells from the grape pomace it's made from.
See also
In Spanish: Tsipouro para niños
