Many people have probably heard about the mulberry, the national drink of Karabakh. This original mulberry strong drink with an unusually exquisite taste, as many have shown, has truly unique healing characteristics. Almost everyone who has already tried it, mulberry vodka is put on a par with the best Armenian cognacs, and sometimes even higher.
“Liquid Karabakh silk”
That is what “Artsakh” is called today - vodka made from delicious mulberry, which grows mainly in the territory of Transcaucasia. In general, the “silk” brand was firmly entrenched in the Greek drink Metaxa. However, today many experts find that this title is more worthy of the Armenian vodka “Artsakh”, which, in essence, is more a fruit distillate - brandy. It is made only from mulberry berries, without the addition of sugar and water, only on wild yeast.
Armenian traditions
Mulberry vodka is made in some Caucasian regions, but it was the residents of Karabakh who managed to secure the status of a truly national drink. Here, this silky brandy is obtained in almost every yard.
Not bad in Armenia is the industrial production of mulberry. The most famous “Artsakh” is vodka, which is produced immediately in two versions: in ordinary and with aging in barrels of mulberry wood.
History of the mulberry tree
When and by whom the mulberry brandy was invented is not known for certain. The history of the drink, which is sold today as “Artsakh” - vodka from mulberry fruits, goes back more than a century. The inhabitants of Karabakh still adhere to simple old technologies: when the mulberries are finally ripened, they, after crushing on a bedding cloth, are poured into a special clay container - carp, then crumpled, leaving to ferment in a natural way, without adding water and sugar.
Using
In general, “Artsakh” is not just traditional vodka, but judging by the reviews, even mystical. Tutovka in Armenia is used not so much for amusement, but for medicinal purposes. They drink it here against the common cold, make compresses and rub it with it, and use it for disinfection. But the most important thing is that this vodka has long been considered a powerful tool for the treatment of gastric diseases.
Many Armenians sincerely believe that it is this drink that determines the long life that the residents of Karabakh are famous for. They say that in the old days a typical Artsakh breakfast consisted of fifty grams of homemade mulberry and one boiled egg. Allegedly after this, people could work before lunch, without feeling a single drop of fatigue. However, here many believe that alcohol in small doses is not only not harmful, but even useful.
“Artsakh” - vodka with a special recipe
The traditional ingredients of mulberry are quite small in number, and the technology is simple, but the quality of vodka primarily depends on the variety of berries and on their degree of maturity. The ideal mulberry from which Artsakh vodka is made should be pink. This sweet and fragrant variety does not grow everywhere. Manufacturers use pink mulberry for the manufacture of “Artsakh” drink. Vodka, the price of which is quite high, in fact, is made from a certain variety and according to old technology.
Braga is tried at all stages and its taste is adjusted. In fact, the production process of this Armenian mash is similar to the process of making wine from mulberry. It is fermented only on wild yeast.
Price
Vodka “Artsakh” is one of the most original alcoholic drinks on the modern market. Being an integral attribute of the Armenian national culture, this brand combines several varieties of fruit vodka at once. It belongs to the famous alcohol company of the same name, which has been operating in the market since 1998.
Today, the company produces and supplies its vodka both to the domestic market of Armenia and exports abroad. This brand immediately after the release of its famous Artsakh products from the assembly line, received a gold medal at the ProdExpo contest in Moscow. Vodka today is sold not only in Armenia and Russia, but also in Ukraine and Latvia, Germany and Belarus, Lithuania and other countries.
The fact that this is a really high-quality product is also evidenced by its price. For example, a fifty-gram bottle of Artsakh vodka with a degree of 45 is sold on average for two hundred and thirty rubles. Another option - "Golden", with a large volume (035 liters), costs about a thousand.
Dogwood vodka from dogwood - features
The company deserves to boast of its rich assortment of fruit alcoholic drinks. Her catalog contains not only mulberry, but also apricot, peach, pear grape and other varieties of strong brandy. The Armenian vodka “Artsakh” cornel was also quite popular among Russians. It is distinguished not only by its amazing taste, but also by its consistently high quality characteristics.
Artsakh vodka made from dogwood, like its mulberry counterpart, is considered not only a delicious drink, but also a valuable natural gift, which, as the Armenians themselves testify, has the opportunity to "restore health to the sick and youthful old." She heals wounds and strengthens the spirit, but most importantly - she amuses the heart.
The composition of this fruit vodka is only purified spring water from the mountains. Obtained from wild dogwood berries, fermented and subjected to double distillation, it “rests” about two or three months in special barrels before bottling. Due to this, vodka has a soft and harmonious taste. “Artsakh Kizilovy” is distinguished by a pleasant aroma, which combines not only bright fruit tones, but also floral light nuances. Vodka has a transparent composition and a slightly oily texture. Serve it better with rich and hearty food, as it has the ability to stimulate digestion.
Reviews
Today, you can buy “Artsakh” not only in the country of its manufacturer, but also in many parts of Russia. Many, judging by the reviews, purchase this vodka as an excellent gift for sophisticated alcohol connoisseurs.
This drink, which is a great digestif, goes well with many meat dishes, especially Caucasian cuisine. If you want special sensations, then this vodka can be served with baked lamb or Armenian khashlama. Judging by the reviews, it goes well with stewed vegetables, basturma or poultry liver.