Until recently, few in Russia knew about the existence of cachaça, the national alcoholic drink of Brazil. Now its import has been established and it’s time to figure out how to drink cachaca in order to understand all the features of this alcohol. I will talk about the culture of using Brazilian rum (the second name of cachaca) further.
Кашаса (Cachaça) – This is an alcoholic drink of a transparent or light brown color with a strength of 38-50 degrees, obtained by distilling fermented sugar cane juice, followed by aging alcohol in barrels. Connoisseurs often compare the taste of quality cachaça with rum. This is not surprising, since the production technologies are very similar.
Cachaca was invented by African slaves who worked on Brazilian sugar cane plantations. Slaves crushed and drank cane juice fermented in the heat (in fact, it was mash). Later, planters thought of distilling mash in copper stills. This moment is considered the beginning of the production of cachaça. Ironically, in the XNUMXth century, it was with cachaça that Portuguese planters bought new slaves from African tribes. The leaders were ready to sell not only their fellow tribesmen, but also close relatives for a barrel of intoxicating “fire water”.
According to the production technology, two types of cachaça are distinguished: hacienda and industrial. The first type is produced in the villages by local residents and almost never finds its way to the external market. This is Brazilian home-made moonshine. Industrial kishasu is made in accordance with the standards, it is she who is exported.
The most famous brands of cachaça are: Pitu (Pito), Germana (Germana), Caninha 51, Velho Barreiro and Paduana.
difference between rum and cachaca
Differences:
- Rum is distilled at least twice, while cachaça is only distilled once.
- Rum aging rarely exceeds 5 years, cachaca can spend 10-15 years in barrels, although this period often does not exceed 2-3 years.
- Rum is aged only in oak barrels (new or from other drinks). Barrels for cachaça are made from local wood: chestnuts, cherries, balsamic or almond trees.
- The composition of rum may include spices and caramel. There are usually no additives in cachas.
In terms of quality, the rum is better due to several distillations, but in terms of variety of flavors, cachaca wins due to a wider choice of woods.
Ways to drink cachaca
1. In its purest form. The traditional way of the Brazilians themselves. They drink cachaca in small sips from special glasses – martelinho (translated into Russian – “little hammer”). In our realities, you can use the usual 50-gram vodka glasses.
To feel the taste of cachaça, you need to hold the drink in your mouth a little, rolling over your tongue, and only then take a sip. Immediately there is a pleasant aftertaste and warmth. Cachaca is eaten with chopped lemon and cane sugar.
2. As part of cocktails. This method is suitable for those who do not like the pronounced taste of strong alcohol. Only one famous cocktail is made on the basis of cachaça – Caipirinha, the recipe of which was invented on the legendary beaches of Capacabana. Now it is served in all tourist centers in Brazil.
Despite the exotic name, caipirinha is easy to make at home. To do this, it is enough to have cachaça, lime (replaced by lemon), cane sugar and ice. Recipe: Place 4 small lime wedges in a low glass and mash, add 2 teaspoons of sugar and ice. Pour all the free space in the glass with porridge. The cocktail is ready. It is more convenient to drink it through a straw.
Interestingly, Caipirinho is recommended to be served as an aperitif with meat and fish dishes, but you can drink a cocktail without snacks, this is exactly what the Brazilians do.