For the past while I've been reading a book entitled 'Absinthe: History in a Bottle', by Baranby Conrad III. While it may fall somewhat into the 'coffee table' variety of books, it provides a fascinating insight into the history, culture, and general infamy surrounding "l Fee Vert". Conrad traces absinthe from it's early incarnation as an elixer and 'cure all' in Switzerland, through to its explosion in popularity in the caf culture of 19th century France. He also delves into the complicated, and somewhat devious, circumstances resulting in it becoming contraband.
Most people know absinthe for being the drink of choice of many great artists and poets of the 19th and early 20th centuries, and this book reveals just how much the beverage went hand in hand with their creativity. It becomes apparent, however, that far from being the hallucenogen it was claimed to be, the attraction for people such as Baudelaire, Wilde, Hemmingway, and Picasso lay more with the methodical preparation required before the drink was consumed (the author compares the process to the ritual involved with a heroin addict and their paraphernalia), and perhaps to lend some kind of dignity to their alcoholism (with Baudelaire and his associates, at least).
Wormwood, the main ingredient in absinthe, is closely examined and one of it's components, thujone, is identified as having similar effects as marijuana - but only if consumed in vast quantities (interestingly, it is classified as a convulsive poison and an overdose results in fits and spasms, and even death). The level of thujone in absinthe was no greater than that found in most other liquers (although this level is now restricted by law). Of course, 19th century science and medicine was nowhere as advanced as it is today and many leading figures in these fields at the time formed their opinions of the Green Fairy on hear'say and experiments of a dubious nature (It has since been proven that the quantity of thujone in absinthe is so miniscule that alcohol poisoning would occur long before a person could ingest enough absinthe for the chemical to have any effect).
In the end, however, it wasn't absinthe's fabled hallucenogenic qualities that resulted in its downfall; it became the scapegoat for many other - unconnected - problems. Politicians in France blamed it for a variety of the country's many social ills of the time, backed by leading figures in the wine industry who saw absinthe as a major threat to their business. The flawed opinions of leading medical professionals at the time also contributed greatly, naming absinthe as the main 'cause' of alcoholism (whilst prescribing wine as a remedy for the condition).
By the end of World War I, absinthe had become illegal in every European country except Spain. Production fell into the hands of bootleggers, many of whom distilled the drink to supplement meagre incomes so that they could provide for their families. And so it remained for almost 80 years until the ban was repealed. Now, thanks to modern science setting the record straight and improved production methods, it is once again possible, in Europe at least, to sample the delights of this romanticised, and often misunderstood, drink.
If you haven't checked out this book already, I thoroughly recommend that you do (if you hadn't guessed that already). In the meantime, take the time to look at www.wormwoodsociety.org for more information on this opalescent tincture.
Most people know absinthe for being the drink of choice of many great artists and poets of the 19th and early 20th centuries, and this book reveals just how much the beverage went hand in hand with their creativity. It becomes apparent, however, that far from being the hallucenogen it was claimed to be, the attraction for people such as Baudelaire, Wilde, Hemmingway, and Picasso lay more with the methodical preparation required before the drink was consumed (the author compares the process to the ritual involved with a heroin addict and their paraphernalia), and perhaps to lend some kind of dignity to their alcoholism (with Baudelaire and his associates, at least).
Wormwood, the main ingredient in absinthe, is closely examined and one of it's components, thujone, is identified as having similar effects as marijuana - but only if consumed in vast quantities (interestingly, it is classified as a convulsive poison and an overdose results in fits and spasms, and even death). The level of thujone in absinthe was no greater than that found in most other liquers (although this level is now restricted by law). Of course, 19th century science and medicine was nowhere as advanced as it is today and many leading figures in these fields at the time formed their opinions of the Green Fairy on hear'say and experiments of a dubious nature (It has since been proven that the quantity of thujone in absinthe is so miniscule that alcohol poisoning would occur long before a person could ingest enough absinthe for the chemical to have any effect).
In the end, however, it wasn't absinthe's fabled hallucenogenic qualities that resulted in its downfall; it became the scapegoat for many other - unconnected - problems. Politicians in France blamed it for a variety of the country's many social ills of the time, backed by leading figures in the wine industry who saw absinthe as a major threat to their business. The flawed opinions of leading medical professionals at the time also contributed greatly, naming absinthe as the main 'cause' of alcoholism (whilst prescribing wine as a remedy for the condition).
By the end of World War I, absinthe had become illegal in every European country except Spain. Production fell into the hands of bootleggers, many of whom distilled the drink to supplement meagre incomes so that they could provide for their families. And so it remained for almost 80 years until the ban was repealed. Now, thanks to modern science setting the record straight and improved production methods, it is once again possible, in Europe at least, to sample the delights of this romanticised, and often misunderstood, drink.
If you haven't checked out this book already, I thoroughly recommend that you do (if you hadn't guessed that already). In the meantime, take the time to look at www.wormwoodsociety.org for more information on this opalescent tincture.
Well balls to you, even if it is your birthday.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY YOUUUUUUUUUU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU.
Have a wicked night, for both reasons that you'll be out celebrating, and we'll organize a meet in teh new year, and then you'll regret ever drawing me on you.