Picon
Picon is one of France derived, caramel-colored aperitif drink that to the bitter drink , called Amer Africain belongs. Flavoring substances are primarily oranges and orange peel, as well as gentian and cinchona .
history
The drink was invented by Gaétan Picon in 1837 when he went to Algeria to serve in the French army . When the World's Fair took place in London in 1862 , Jean-Baptiste Nouvion urged him to present his drink at the exhibition. When the latter refused, Nouvion sent a crate of the drink to London without Pico's knowledge, where Pico's invention was awarded a bronze medal. In 1872 Picon returned to France. In addition to the three distilleries in Algiers , Constantine and Annaba , he founded another factory in Marseille . The latter is still in operation today.
The alcohol content was reduced from the original 39% vol. To 21% vol. In the 1970s before it was reduced to 18% in 1989. In 2003 the drink was sold mainly (79%) in northern and eastern France. The total production was four million bottles.
Manufacturing
Picon is made from fresh oranges that are first dried and then mixed with alcohol. Its taste is refined during the production process with gentian and cinchona bark, which are contained in equal parts. The final step is to add sugar, syrup, and caramel.
distribution
The drink is drunk as an aperitif in Alsace , usually with a fresh pretzel or with pretzel sticks, as well as in Lorraine , northern France, Luxembourg , Belgium or the Saarland . It is less common in other parts of France. In Germany (apart from the Saarland, which is oriented towards France in terms of drinks) and Switzerland, the drink has largely been forgotten. Until the 1960s, the name was featured in the slogan “First relax, first picon” in commercials on radio and television.
variants
In the mid-1990s, two more aperitifs were created based on the classic picon:
- the Picon Club , which is drunk as a cocktail with white wine
- the Picon beer , is filled in the Picon in a beer glass in a mild beer, so that the froth is slightly brownish. The drink can be supplemented with a dash of lemon juice or syrup. Picon beer has 16% Vol., Picon à l'Orange 18% Vol., Amer Picon 21 vol.% Alcohol .
Individual evidence
- ↑ Description on the side of a liquor dealer
- ^ Journal "L'Illustration" of May 24, 1930 - histoire de l'apéritif amer Picon or amer algérien
- ↑ Against the purity law ..., blog
- ↑ Proof of "First relax ..."