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Vodka

Brief History

The first documented production of vodka in Russia was at the end of the 9th century, but the first known distillery at, Khylnovsk, was about two hundred years later as reported in the Vyatka Chronicle of 1174.

Poland lays claim to having distilled vodka even earlier in the 8th century, but as this was a distillation of wine it might be more appropriate to consider it a crude brandy.

The first identifiable Polish vodkas appeared in the 11th century when they were called 'gorzalka', originally used as medicines.

Ingredients

Vegetables or Grains - Although original vodka was made from potatoes, this versatile drink can be produced from virtually any fermentable ingredients that are filled with starch or sugar.

The most popular source for fermentation is wheat, rye or corn.

Water - Water can have significant effect to the final flavor of vodka, especially if distiller decides not to make "neutral tasting" drink.

Underground natural water is often filled with various minerals collected from the rocks and ground.

Ingredients

Malt meal - To enable transformation of starch into sugar, some grains and vegetables require presence of this ingredient.

Yeast - This very important ingredient is essential for the process of fermentation. It transforms present sugar into alcohol. This process can however create liquid with only 14% alcohol volume.

Flavor Additives - At the end of the production process, distiller can choose to put any number of flavor additives in his drink. Most popular flavors range from herbs, grasses, spices to fruit essences.

Manufacturing

Preparation of mash - After deciding what type of grain or fruit is to be used, distiller must insert it into automated mash tub.

If grain consists mostly from starch, malt meal must be introduced to transform it into sugar.

Manufacturing

Sterilization - Prevention of appearance of bacteria during fermentation process is very essential.

For this purpose, entire mash must be boiled and thus sterilized.

As another technique of prevention, mash is injected with lactic-acid bacteria which raise acidity level of entire mash and prepares it for better fermentation.

Manufacturing

Fermentation - Fermentation is done by pouring prepared mash into sterilized large stainless steel vats.

For the next two to four days yeast transforms sugars in the mash into ethyl alcohol.

Manufacturing

Distillation and rectification - Liquid ethyl alcohol that was produced in fermentation needs to be poured in stainless steel stills, which collect vaporized alcohol and transfer it into sterilized chamber.

During this process water and impurities remain in first chamber, enabling the produced liquid to have higher alcohol content.

Manufacturing

Adding water and flavor additives - After distillation, produced liquid have between 95-100% alcohol content.

To became drinkable, water must be added to weaken the alcohol to the standardized 40% level (some countries have varying laws about the required alcohol content).

If distiller wants, at this point he can add flavor additives.

Manufacturing

Bottling - Vodka does not have aging process like wine or whisky.

It can immediately be transferred into non-reactive glass bottles.

Automated distilleries use machines to sometimes process 400 bottles per minute.

Types of Vodka

Neutral Vodka Neutral vodka refers to the drink that is made from

traditional Russian or Polish recipe. Russians separate their natural vodkas into high

quality, strong (with over 55% alcohol by volume) and export-worthy.

Polish define their vodka into standard, premium and deluxe.

United States used classic or regular types, and all of their vodkas are completely devoid of specific aromas.

To distinguish themselves, manufacturers of neutral vodka in US use varying amounts of alcohol content, brand recognition and price.

Types of Vodka

Flavored Vodka As the techniques for creating vodka became more

advanced, brewers from all around the world started devising the ways to introduce many new flavors.

Some of the best known flavored vodkas come from Russia and Poland - Limonnaya Vodka (lemon), Kubanskaya Vodka (lemon and orange), Pertsovka Vodka (peppercorns and chili peppers), Okhotnichya or Hunter Vodka (coffee, lemon, ginger, brandy and more).

In recent years, fruit flavored vodkas started receiving much more popularity than before (oranges, apples, berries, and more).

Types of Vodka

Regional Vodka Many countries around the world have accepted

vodka as their national drinks (especially in Eastern Europe) and started changing the recipe of this drink to better suit their region.

Poland likes to use potato and grain based vodkas, Russia, Belarus and Ukraine focus mostly on wheat and rye.

Types of Vodka

Other Eastern European countries focus on other grains (same as UK and Germany), while France, Italy and Balkan region like to produce vodkas form fermented grapes and fruits (most notably Serbian plum based vodka "šljivovica", which is famous in entire Europe).

Non-European countries also like to make their vodkas from molasses (that is case for US, Canada, Caribbean and Australia).

Top Ten Brands

France

Canada

Finland

Russia

Sweden

Russia

Poland

USA

France

Russia

Amazing Facts

Fact one: Since vodka is distilled from water ethanol and

fermented potatoes or grains, it contains very little fusel oils--much less than other alcoholic beverages.

This coupled with the fact that it is carbon filtered, makes it one of the purest drinks in the world!

Amazing Facts

Fact two: A litre of vodka weighs only 953 g and not 1 kg as

one might imagine!

Fact three: As opposed to popular belief, vodka does go bad if

stored for longer periods of time. Ideally, vodka has to be consumed within 12 months

of the manufacturing date!

Amazing Facts

Fact four: Up until 1885, vodka was only sold in 12.3 litre

buckets--and even still, it was a very popular drink. Thankfully, smaller bottles were introduced so that

we don't spend the early part of our work week coping with a massive hangover!

Amazing Facts

Fact five: While traditional vodka has exactly 38 percent

alcohol, the European Union recognizes any such drink with more than 37.5 percent alcohol content as vodka.

On the other hand, all vodka sold in the United States has to have 40 percent or more alcohol content.

Amazing Facts

Fact six: Due to the high production and consumption of

vodka in America, countries like Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, all Nordic and Baltic countries, Poland and areas of Slovakia and Hungary, these regions constitute the Vodka Belt!

Amazing Facts

Fact seven: Apart from getting you drunk, vodka can also be

used for other purposes. For example, soaking your razor blade in vodka after

a shave disinfects it and prevents rusting! Vodka can also be used for cleaning glasses and

bathrooms because the alcohol tends to kill, mould and mildew!

Of course, this is assuming you have enough money to switch from Harpic to vodka!

Amazing Facts

Fact eight: While there are varied accounts of where vodka

originated--either in Russia or Poland--the first variations of Russian vodka were meant for medicinal purposes.

It is also reported that Polish vodka was scented and used as aftershave!

Amazing Facts

Fact nine: According to some historic accounts, vodka was

used to make gunpowder in Sweden in the 15th century!

Fact ten: While clear vodka is very popular, its flavored

versions are also widely available. Some of the best vodka flavors are red pepper,

ginger, varying fruit flavors, vanilla, chocolate (unsweetened), and cinnamon.