Hierbas Ibicencas
The herbal liqueur Hierbas Ibicencas ( Catalan Herbes Eivissenques ) is an alcoholic and aniseed drink with extracts from the aromas of different plants and of varying sweetness, which is produced in Ibiza . The natural alcohol drink with a geographical indication is from amber yellow to greenish in color.
history
Hierbas Ibicencas have been made by soaking various herbs and aniseed in an alcoholic water solution for more than 200 years and are one of the typical products of the Balearic island of Ibiza . This type of herbal liqueur is very popular in the Balearic Islands (see also Herbes de Mallorca) and is produced and drunk in large quantities. Most families craft the liqueurs themselves at home, the respective recipes are kept as family secrets.
Curiously, at the end of the 19th century, the first processing industry for alcoholic beverages, the Pityuses , emerged on Formentera . Many of the inhabitants of Formentera were fishermen, farmers and ranchers at the same time. But one of them had other goals and around 1880 crossed over to Barcelona several times in his “ Llaüt ” boat to supply the island with products that were lacking there. He learned the secrets of the distillation process and the production of alcoholic beverages on the mainland and then founded a small, still-existing factory on the smallest Balearic island, the headquarters of which he moved to Ibiza a few years later.
In 1997 the designation of origin "Hierbas Ibicencas" was approved. This reflects the geographic origin of the drink.
Manufacturing
The "Hierbas Ibicencas" are described in the provisions for the designation of origin as an aniseed, alcoholic drink, which is mainly made from extracts of the aromas of various plants from this island such as fennel , thyme , rosemary , lemon bush , lavender , rue , eucalyptus , chamomile , juniper with juniper berries, oregano , Mint , the leaves and peel of lemons and oranges and sage as well as other plants such as the star and green anise ("Matafaluga").
The flavors for the production of Hierbas Ibicencas are obtained using the following methods:
- Distillation : 18 hours on a low gas flame in a copper flask
- Pickled herbs: for 15 days in a water / alcohol solution made from plant-based 70% ethyl alcohol.
- As an infusion or tea: with boiling water, then allow to cool
The product obtained in the manner described above is then mixed in order to obtain a liqueur whose alcohol volume is 24-38%.
The production area for this herbal liqueur is concentrated on the islands of Ibiza and Formentera.
Sensory properties
The Hierbas Ibicencas are an interplay of different aromas and flavors that enrich the aniseed. The fullness of this mixture gives the end product strength and balance. Some liqueurs are dominated by a certain flavor (fennel, thyme and / or rosemary), but generally a rich, balanced mix of all ingredients is preferred.
The liqueur is amber in different shades.
Chemical properties
The Hierbas Ibicencas have the following chemical properties:
- Alcohol content: between 24 and 40%.
- Sugar content: max. 250 g / l.
- Density (at 20 ° C): below 1.18 g / ml.
- Max. Methanol content: 1 g / l.
- Maximum content of heavy metals: 40 ppm (lead content)
Control system
The manufacturers of the Ibizan herbal liqueur must be registered in the register of origin, which is managed and controlled by the Island Council for Ibiza and Formentera, in order to be allowed to have the addition “Hierbas Ibicencas” on the label.
Production data
for 2006
- Manufacturer: 3
- Production volume: 309,069 L