Orujo

Orujo is a pomace brandy (a liquor obtained from the distillation of marc, the solid remains left after pressing of the grape) from northern Spain. It is a transparent spirit with an alcohol content over 50% (100°US; 87.6ºBritain and Commonwealth proof). Its name comes from the expression "aguardiente de orujo" (pomace spirit). It is popular in northern Spain, particularly in Galicia, but also in Asturias, Castile and León and Cantabria (principally in the valley of Liébana). It is also called augardente or aguardiente ("firewater"), and caña. orujo has become an artisanal craft for some families who after making wine for themselves distill the pomace in a little pot still. Many high-quality distilled spirits have appeared in the last twenty years, including some origin appellations (in Spanish, D.O.). These are obtained from quality grapes and produced according to the highest standards and are replacing the traditional homemade liquor, nowadays only available in small villages.

Orujo is a pomace brandy (a liquor obtained from the distillation of marc, the solid remains left after pressing of the grape) from northern Spain. It is a transparent spirit with an alcohol content over 50% (100°US; 87.6ºBritain and Commonwealth proof). Its name comes from the expression "aguardiente de orujo" (pomace spirit). It is popular in northern Spain, particularly in Galicia, but also in Asturias, Castile and León and Cantabria (principally in the valley of Liébana). It is also called augardente or aguardiente ("firewater"), and caña. orujo has become an artisanal craft for some families who after making wine for themselves distill the pomace in a little pot still. Many high-quality distilled spirits have appeared in the last twenty years, including some origin appellations (in Spanish, D.O.). These are obtained from quality grapes and produced according to the highest standards and are replacing the traditional homemade liquor, nowadays only available in small villages. ==History== Orujo is made in the north of Portugal and Spain. The monasteries in the county of Liébana, Cantabria has been distilling orujo since the Middle Ages. Each November the town of Potes celebrates the "Fiesta del Orujo", including tastings and a contest where participants distill orujo in public with their own stills and judges award a prize for the best-tasting batch. Since the 16th century Galicians have made orujo on their farms and take great pride in their liqueur, each family carefully guarding their own secret recipe. However, there are now over 20 commercial producers of orujo within Denominación Específica Orujo de Galicia, ("Denomination Orujo of Galicia"), which was formed in 1989¹. From orujo, Galicians traditionally make a drink called "queimada" (= burnt), in which bits of lemon peel, sugar and ground coffee are put into a clay pot or a hollow pumpkin when available. Then the orujo is poured on top and the pot is set fire to and allowed to burn until the flame turns blue. In the Cantabria, León and Asturias mountain regions of the Cantabrian Mountains, three main derived versions are known, the original, orujo de hierbas (or té de los puertos, "tea of the mountain passes"), orujo de café (café de los puertos) and crema de orujo ("orujo cream"), among others lesser known. ==References==

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