2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
Amarula / Amarula / is a popular South African cream liqueur, which is prepared from the fruits of the lettuce tree, also called ivory. Amarula is one of the most beloved drinks in the world and therefore occupies the honorable second place in sales, ranking only after the Irish cream liqueur Baileys.
Before we look at the liqueur, however, let's find out more about the tree, thanks to which we can taste the amazing drink today. Lettuce / Sclerocarya birrea / is a real African treasure. This dioecious tree grows only in equatorial Africa and reaches a height of 10 to 18 meters.
The plant is among the favorites of male elephants, which rub in it during their breeding season. Lettuce bears rounded plum-like fruits that are colored light green to yellowish. They have watery and appetizing flesh, which tastes like citrus fruits or nuts.
In just one year, lettuce can bear up to half a ton of fruit. Their incredible taste makes them a favorite food of many. Elephants, pigs, monkeys and rhinos are just some of the species that love to eat them. African peoples also pay great attention to these fruits. They are considered royal food and are used in a number of rituals. From them a drink is prepared, which is intended for the spirits of deceased important people or donated to revered chiefs.
Lettuce is a tree that is shrouded in mystery and to which many qualities are attributed. He is an important participant in a bunch of African legends. Among one of the local tribes, it is known as a wedding tree, which is why marriage ceremonies have been held under its shade for centuries. The fruits of the tree are considered medicinal and are taken for sexual impotence in men, as well as for infertility in women. According to some beliefs, the bark of a dioecious plant can help choose the sex of a baby before it is born. Those who want a girl drink a decoction of female tree, and those who want a male child, take a decoction of male lettuce.
History of the amarula
The amazing African liqueur Amarula is relatively recent on the market. It was first introduced to consumers in the 1980s. The original amarula is manufactured by Southern Liqueur Co. Although the drink was almost unknown in the beginning, it quickly gained popularity. Today it is available in more than a hundred countries. It's called the Spirit of Africa.
Characteristics of amarula
Amarula is a cream liqueur in which the sugar content is 20 percent and the alcohol content is 17 percent. Amarula can undoubtedly be compared to Baileys. However, the liqueur is distinguished by one of its specific ingredients - the juice of lettuce. It gives the drink a special caramel taste and aroma. They also sense fruity notes. Amarula is characterized by exceptional sweetness, which is the reason for the contradictory comments about the drink. However, not everyone likes this quality of the drink.
Production of amarula
Lettuce production is a very important process on which the quality of the resulting drink depends. The fruits are carefully picked and peeled and cleaned, then left to ferment. Then comes the distillation. The distillate is mixed with a concentrated extract of lettuce. The mixture is left to mature for 2 years in special oak barrels. Finally, the material is mixed with fresh cream until the desired appearance is obtained. Received Amarula is bottled in dark bottles.
Selection and storage of amarula
This type of alcoholic beverage can be found mainly in specialty stores, and the price is close to that of Baileys. The liqueur is available in dark glass bottles with an elephant on the label.
This animal is the emblem of the drink because of its great love for the lettuce tree, as well as for its fruits. When choosing alcohol, always pay attention to the expiration date, as well as the name of the manufacturer. This information must be present on the bottle label.
Regarding the storage of cream liqueur, you should know that it is recommended to keep the bottles in a dark and cool place at a temperature of 5 to 20 degrees. After opening the bottle, the alcohol can be consumed for 6-7 months.
Cooking with amarula
Amarula can be used in the same way as Baileys. The liqueur is suitable for mixing sweet cocktails and can be combined with various cream liqueurs, whiskey, Amaretto and others.
Its unique taste allows it to be used in recipes for creams, puddings, ice creams, mousses, cakes, pies, rolls, biscuits, cakes, muffins, cupcakes, cheesecakes and any other sweet temptations, whether they contain fruit or nuts.
In any case, the end result will be fragrant and sweet desserts that melt in your mouth.
Serving of amarula
Amarula is served similar to Bayliss. It is poured into liqueur glasses, which are made of glass and have a slender stool. Their shape can be varied. Amarula can be served with a few ice cubes or not. It is suitable to be combined with hot drinks such as coffee and cappuccino.
