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Traditional distillation of tsikoudiaA bottle of tsikoudia
Tsikoudia (Greek: τσικουδιά, romanized: tsikoudiá, literally "terebinth") is an alcoholic beverage, a fragrant, grape-based pomace brandy of Cretan origin that contains 40% to 65% alcohol by volume.[1] Tsikoudia is made by distilling of pomace, what remains of grapes pressed in winemaking. In the eastern part of Crete, tsikoudia is often informally called raki (Greek: ρακή, romanized: rakí), a name originating from the Ottoman 'raki', derived from the 17th-century Arabic 'arak', meaning 'distilled'.
The pomace ferments for about six weeks in a tightly sealed barrel, and is then distilled. It is similar to tsipouro from mainland Greece, and is part of a family of Mediterranean grape-based distilled spirits, including Ottoman rakı, Albanian: rakia, Spanish: orujo, Italian: grappa, French: marc, Georgian: chacha, Portuguese: bagaceira, Bulgarian: ракия, romanized: rakiya, Macedonian: ракија, romanized: rakija, Serbo-Croatian: rakija / ракија (in Istria: grappa), Romanian: tescovină, Hungarian: törköly. However, unlike the above spirits which are typically double-distilled and often include additional spices such as anise, tsikoudia undergoes a single distillation process. This method preserves more of the original grape flavor without the addition of flavorings, resulting in a lower alcohol content and a distinct flavor profile compared to its counterparts.
It is often produced at home in villages throughout Crete, thus the alcohol content varies by producer. Typically each Cretan village has one or two residents who are licensed to distill, and tsikoudia is produced continuously for two to three weeks in late October and early November.
Tsikoudia is almost always served chilled from a freezer and is commonly provided as a complimentary digestif in Cretan restaurants, often accompanied by fruits and sweets after the meal.
^"Tsikoudia, the Cretan Spirit". We-Love-Crete.com. Retrieved 27 July 2014.
Tsikoudia (Greek: τσικουδιά, romanized: tsikoudiá, literally "terebinth") is an alcoholic beverage, a fragrant, grape-based pomace brandy of Cretan origin...
versions are also available. It is similar to tsikoudia produced on the island of Crete, but unlike tsikoudia, which is single-distilled and contains no...
ρακή) ) is the most popular traditional Cretan spirit, also known as tsikoudia (Greek: τσικουδιά). The Cretan raki is a pomace brandy made by single...
Crete, where the plant is called tsikoudia, it is used to flavor the local variety of pomace brandy, also called tsikoudia. In the Northern Sporades the...
villagers. The traditional zivania stills are similar to those used for tsikoudia in Crete. Once the main container of the still is hermetically shut, fire...
Pakki, a Muslim outlaw who lived in the 19th century Travancore Kingdom Tsikoudia (ρακί) This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title...
European Union now recognizes ouzo, as well as the Greek drinks tsipouro and tsikoudia, as products with a Protected Designation of Origin, which prohibits European...
dessert Amygdalopita (dessert) Patouda (dessert) Portokalopita (dessert) Tsikoudia Rakomelo Cretan wine Dakos Kolokythoanthoi are often served with a dollop...
to give red, rosé and white wines. The pomace is distilled to produce Tsikoudia. Kissamos, a red wine with 13% alcohol content, and Clos de Creta, a white...
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