For any true boozer out there, at one point or another, you have either dreamed of or have tried the wonderful elixir that goes by the name Absinthe. Me myself, have only had the opportunity to drink Absente, a cheap knock off made with Southern Wormwood instead of the real stuff. But anyway, for those that don't know about this Liquer, here is an overview.
Modern day Absinthe was created by a marvelous man, a French doctor that went by Pierre Ordinaire. As legend had it, he fled during the French Revolution and While headed for Switzerland discovered the plant Artemisia absinthium, also known as Wormwood. Wormwood contains the psychoactive ingredient Thujone, which is what give Absinthe it's lure, and is supposedly responsible for making people go crazy. But anyway, Dr. Ordinaire then began experimenting with the plant.
After much deliberation and experimentation, the final recipe Dr. Ordinaire settled on contain the following herbs: Wormwood, Anise, Hyssop, Dittany, Sweet Flag, Melissa, Corriander, Veronica, Chamomile, Parsley, and Spinach. The Elixir was put together and marketed as a cure all for any disease from a stomach ache to Jaundice. Soon the liquer became very popular in France as well as the rest of the world over.
As Absinthe spread in popularity there are many theories as to why it was eventually made illegal. One of those theories is that drinking Absinthe eventually made a man go mad. The most famous example of this is the link between Van Gogh's love of the drink and him eventually cutting off a part of his ear. If Absinthe makes you go mad, I haven't a clue. Hopefully someday I ahve the opportunity to drink enough to test that theory myself. The second theory has to do with other alcohol, the wine industry.
Legend say that Absinthe was becoming so popular in the French Communities, that it was cutting into the business of the wine companies. The French government supposedly wanted to rid Absinthe because it was a popular drink among artists and writers, and we all now we don't want them hanging around. But anyway, the powerful wine compaines and the government got together and ran a propaghanda campaign against Absinthe Compaines, claiming it made you go crazy, and eventually won the battle which oulawed Absinthe. Either way, Absinthe laws are once again being loosened in Europe.
It is now legal to make Absinthe in Europe and other countries around the world including Canada. It is still illegal to make in America, but it is legal to posess, so in other words you can order it. The catch is, the new laws in Europe, will only allow a Thujone content, if you don't remeber, that what makes it fun, of 10 mg, which is about six to ten times weaker than what it was back in the day. There is one company though that make the real stuff. Absinthe King of Spirits Gold, made by a Czech producer, claims a Thujone content of 100 mg, but goes for the price of $200.00. I haven't had the privelege of trying any of these, but if I do you will definely hear about it. I hope this gave some information to anybody who cares, or sparked some interest in those who don't. Have a drink and think of me!