There are many countries where Absinthe is legal to buy, sell and consume. Gone are the times of bootleg or clandestine Absinthe, when it had to be distilled in secrecy, shipped from other countries or labeled differently. In most countries it is no longer a crime to distill Absinthe or against the law to sell it.

Absinthe is a herbal liquor which has an anise taste. It is usually served diluted with iced water, which causes the famous louche effect, and was a popular beverage in the 19th century. It was made illegal in many countries at the beginning of the 20th century because of concerns about the chemical thujone found in wormwood. Not only was Absinthe an intoxicant, like all alcoholic beverages including wine, beer and cider, but it was also thought to be an hallucinogen.

The medical profession and prohibitionists claimed that Absinthe contained large amounts of thujone which they alleged was psychoactive, like THC in the drug cannabis, and could cause psychedelic effects. We now know that Absinthe only contains small amounts of thujone and is just as safe as any strong spirit. It may however give you a very different type of drunkenness, if consumed in excess. The alcohol and the unique blend of herbs combine to act as both a sedative and a stimulant – very strange. Some people have described it as a “lucid” or “clear headed” drunkenness.

Countries where Absinthe is legal include:-

United States – Absinthe was banned in 1912 but in 2007 a few brands of Absinthe were approved in the US because of their low thujone content. The USA only allows “thujone free” beverages to be sold but Absinthes with less than 10 parts per million of thujone (less than 10mg per liter) count as thujone free.

The EU (European Union) – Absinthe was legalized in the EU in 1988 but there is a regulation regarding thujone content in drinks in the EU. Up to 10mg/kg of thujone is allowed in alcohol with more than 25% alcohol by volume, and up to 35mg/kg in alcohol labeled “bitters”.

Australia – Absinthe is legal. Bitters can have a thujone content of up to 35mg/kg and other beverages can contain up to 10mg/kg.

Brazil – Brazilian law allows Absinthe of up to 10mg/kg thujone and that it should have less than 55% abv.

Canada – From March 2007 it has been up to the separate Canadian province liquor boards to regulate thujone. Many provinces do not allow any thujone containing alcohol to be sold but Absinthe is legal in British Columbia, where there is no limit, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec. Quebec and Ontario legislate that Absinthe with up to 10mg/kg thujone can be legally sold.

Czech Republic – Absinthe was never banned in the Czech Republic.

France – France famously banned Absinthe in 1915. French law of 1988 allows thujone beverages to be sold if they comply with EU laws and if they are labeled “spiritueux à base de plantes d’absinthe” and not Absinthe. France also has regulations regarding fenchone which is found in fennel, a key ingredient of Absinthe, so beverages also have to have low fenchone contents (up to 5mg/liter).

Hungary – Absinthe became legal in 2004.

Israel – Absinthe seems to be legal and on sale in Israel.

Ireland – Absinthe which contains thujone is illegal to buy and sell but can be imported for personal consumption.

Netherlands – Absinthe was made legal in 2004 after being banned in 1909. Absinthe must meet EU requirements.

New Zealand – Absinthe is legal.

Portugal – Absinthe was never banned.

Russia – High thujone Absinthes (up to 75mg/kg thujone) are available in Russia.

Serbia – Serbia does not seem to allow Absinthe containing thujone or above 50% abv to be sold.

South Africa – Absinthe is legal as of 2005.

Sweden – Absinthe complying with EU legislation can be sold and is labeled as containing wormwood.

Switzerland – The home of Absinthe legalized Absinthe in 2005 after banning it in 1908.

UK – The UK never banned Absinthe. Absinthe must comply with EU legislation.

As you can see there are many countries where Absinthe is legal and can be enjoyed. You may want to make your own Absinthe using Absinthe essences from AbsintheKit.com. These essences make a true Absinthe and can be shipped world wide. They do not require distillation, that has already been done for you, and so are perfectly legal. Check them out.

Clandestine Absinthe is bootleg Absinthe which was distributed on the Black Market during the time of Absinthe prohibition.

Absinthe was banned and made illegal in France, Switzerland and many other countries in th early 1900s after being a popular liquor since its creation at the turn of the 19th century.

Absinthe had been especially popular with the Bohemian art set in the Montmartre area of Paris. Artists and writers including Van Gogh, Gauguin, Oscar Wilde and Ernest Hemingway were all devotees of the Green Fairy, as Absinthe is commonly known.

Anti-alcohol campaigners started to paint a bad picture of Absinthe in the late 19th century and early 20th century, blaming it for France’s growing problems with alcoholism and claiming that the chemical thujone (from wormwood) was psychoactive and was having psychedelic effects. Many said that if Absinthe was not banned then France would be a nation of mad, insane people. Absinthe was even blamed for an alcoholic murdering his family despite the fact that he had been drinking other spirits after the Absinthe. Absinthe was banned and prohibition began.

Clandestine Absinthe in Switzerland

During prohibition, there was obviously still a market for Absinthe and in Switzerland bootleg distillers still made and sold Absinthe. Switzerland was the home of Absinthe. It is claimed that Absinthe was created by a doctor, Pierre Ordinaire, as a tonic for his patients in 1789 in the Swiss town of Couvet in the Val de Travers, the Swiss Jura. In time, Couvet became the Swiss capital of Absinthe production and was obviously badly affected by prohibition. One distiller, Claude-Alain Bugnon, is said to have carried on distilling Absinthe and distilled it using a recipe of another bootleg distiller Charlotte Vaucher. The Val de Travers was well known for its wonderful bootleg Absinthe.

Absinthe was legalized in many countries in the 1990s but legalization in Switzerland did not happen until 2005. Claude-Alain Bugnon immediately applied for a licence to sell Absinthe and was the first distiller to be granted a licence for Absinthe production in Switzerland.

Claude-Alain Bugnon’s company, Artemisia-Bugnon distilleries now produce many different types of Absinthe:-
– The famous La Clandestine Originale – This Absinthe is an award winning premium La Bleue, 53% ABV (alcohol by volume). It is a clear Absinthe in a blue bottle and some people say that it got its name from the blue reflections seen when the Absinthe louches.
– La Capricieuse – This Absinthe was produced to satisfy the taste for pre-prohibition stronger Absinthe and has an ABV of 72%.
– Recette Marianne – This Absinthe was produced to be sold to the French market which has strict Fenchone regulations and does not allow bottles labeled Absinthe to be sold. Fenchone is the essential oil of fennel and is thought to be psychoactive. This liquor is 55% ABV and won the prestigious Golden Spoon Award in 2005, 2006 and 2007.
– La Clandestine Originale Alcool du Vin – A distillation of La Clandestine Originale using a wine base.
– Angelique Verte Suisse – Produced for those who want their Absinthe to be slightly more bitter and to have the traditional green color. The beautiful label on this bottle is just like antique labels depicting the Green Fairy.

The Artemisia-Bugnon uses herbs grown in the region like grande and petite Artemisia Absinthium (wormwood), hyssop and lemon balm to flavor its anise flavored liquor. No artificial colors or additives are used and many speak of the Absinthes having a “bouquet” of Alpine meadows, of honey and flowers.

The Clandestine Absinthe of the Artemisia-Bugnon distillery is available to buy on their online shop but if you want to try your hand at making your own Absinthe containing wormwood then you can use the essences from AbsintheKit.com to make your very own premium Absinthe.

You can now order real top-quality Absinthe online on a web shop. There has been an Absinthe revival since the 1990s when Absinthe was legalized in most countries after being banned since the early 1900s.

What is Absinthe?

Absinthe, otherwise known as “The Green Fairy” is a strong alcoholic beverage which is classed as a spirit rather than a liqueur. It is produced in distilleries and is highly alcoholic with between 45 and 75% ABV (Alcohol By Volume). Absinthe is stronger than spirits such as whisky, vodka and gin so care must be taken when drinking – moderation is the key.

Original Absinthe is known for its classic bitter taste which comes from its main ingredient the herb Wormwood, or Artemisia Absinthium. It is a drink with an aniseed flavor and it contains many herbs including green aniseed, fennel and sometimes others such as star anise, hyssop, lemon balm, angelica root and sweet flag. Different varieties use different herbs and some Absinthe specials use other herbs or oils such as orange oil for flavoring.

It is the pure essential oils of the herbs in Absinthe that cause Absinthe to louche when the ice cold water and sugar are added. As the water drips into the Absinthe liquor the oils, which are insoluble, cause the drink to cloud or go milky. This is the famous desired effect.

Tips on Buying Absinthe Online

Absinthe is available from many websites online but you need to check that you are buying from a reputable website or company whose sales are real top quality Absinthe not fake or artificial Absinthe. Real Absinthe contains a chemical called thujone which is found in wormwood and fake Absinthes do not contain this chemical and therefore do not contain any wormwood, the vital ingredient of Absinthe! Many fake Absinthes have been produced for sale to the USA which still has stringent rules regarding thujone levels. Look for Absinthes that contain Grand Wormwood or Artemisia Absinthium.

You can either buy bottles of Absinthe or you can make your own using Absinthe essences. AbsintheKit.com sell Absinthe kits which contain essences which make up to 14 bottles of REAL Absinthe, classic style labels to label your bottles of Absinthe, and a plastic measure to ensure that you measure everything correctly. With these kits you simply mix the essence with Vodka or Everclear – easy! These essences are also used by the Absinthe distillery to make Absinthe so you know they’re top-quality.

Using Your Absinthe

You can also buy Absinthiana online – Absinthe spoons, glasses and other items. To make Absinthe using the classic La Louche method, you need:-
– An Absinthe spoon
– An Absinthe glass
– A cube of sugar
– Some iced water
Pour the required amount of Absinthe into the glass (you are aiming for a ratio of between 3:1 and 5:1 water to Absinthe) and place the sugar cube on the spoon. Slowly pour the iced water over the sugar and let it drip into the Absinthe. Watch the Absinthe louche, stir and then enjoy.

You can also use Absinthe online websites to find recipes for Absinthe cocktails like Hemingway’s famous “Death in the Afternoon” which is a mix of Absinthe and champagne – truly decadent!

In these days of the Absinthe revival it is easy to buy Absinthe online and it is legal, in most countries, to drink Absinthe in bars.

Absinthe is an alcoholic beverage which is about twice as strong as other spirits like whisky and vodka. It has an anise flavor and is made from herbs such as wormwood, fennel and aniseed.

Absinthe was famously banned in many countries in the 1900s, although it was never banned in the UK, Spain, Portugal or the Czech Republic. The thujone in wormwood was thought to be similar to THC in cannabis and to cause psychedelic effects, this has now been disproved.

There are many modern classic style Absinthes – brands which are re-creations of vintage and traditional Absinthes. Price varies according to the brand and the website you order from – shop around to get the best price and to find Absinthe sales, offers and specials.

Here is a list of some good classic brands:-

– The Jade Collection by Ted Breaux – These Absinthes are made at the Combier distillery in Saumur, France. Ted Breaux tested and analyzed vintage bottles of original Absinthe and used what he learned about the ingredients and quantities to develop this line of Absinthes. His Absinthes, which are distilled in old 19th century alambics, include a classic Pernod Fils style Absinthe, a Swiss style Absinthe, a La Bleue style absinthe, and Edouard Pernod type Absinthe, a new Orleans inspired Absinthe and his “Lucid” brand which became the first legal Absinthe in the USA.

– Absinthe Clandestine – This Absinthe is made by Claude-Alain Bugnon, former Absinthe bootlegger. This Absinthe is a La Bleue clear Absinthe made in Bugnon’s distilleries in Couvet, Switzerland. Bugnon uses traditional herbs, such as wormwood and anise, in his Absinthe recipes combined with Alpine herbs.

– La Ptite Absinthe – This La Bleue is also distilled in Couvet by Guadentia Persoz and her husband. They found a 1898 recipe and old alambic in their house when they moved in and are now using this recipe, which includes 12 herbs, to produce this popular Swiss Absinthe.

– Doubs Mystique “Carte d’Or Absinthe” – An Absinthe distilled in Pontarlier, France, the town where Pernod made his first Absinthes. This Absinthe uses traditional distilling methods in 19th century alambics but has a modern twist to make a different tasting Absinthe for the modern Absinthe drinker.

Buy Absinthe Essences

The brands mentioned above are all great brands of Absinthe created using knowledge from the past, but you might want to try your hand at making your own bottle of the Green Fairy.

Absinthe essences from AbsintheKit.com are a very economical way to make top-quality Absinthe at a great price. A 280ml bottle of Absinthe essence will make 14 bottles of real wormwood Absinthe! The 280ml bottles come in a kit with bottle labels and a measure to measure out the essence.

There are 4 types of Absinthe essence:-

– Absinthe Classics essence – This essence makes a classic style green Absinthe.

– Absinthe White Essence – An essence for those who like Swiss La Bleue clear styles of Absinthe.

– Absinthe Orange Essence – This contains real orange oil and makes a yellow-orange colored and orange flavored Absinthe.

– Absinthe 55 Strong Essence – The other three essences contain 35mg of thujone, the chemical in the herb wormwood, but this essence makes a stronger 55mg Asbinthe liquor with a strong bitter wormwood taste. Perfect for those who like the taste of wormwood.

All of these essences are available on sale at the web shop of AbsintheKit.com. And buying is easy.

To use the essences, simply mix with a neutral alcohol base such as Everclear or vodka, add sugar of you like a smoother Absinthe, and there you have it – your very own Absinthe.

AbsintheKit.com also sell replica Absinthe glasses and spoons such as a Pontarlier style glass and an Eiffel Tower spoon. The perfect gift for an Absinthe lover.

Absinthe, an intense alcoholic beverage made famous by the likes of Degas, Vincent Van Gogh, and Ernest Hemmingway is making a comeback all over the world and it is not uncommon to find absinthe on the menu cards of trendy bars. Absinthe after being banned for almost a century is now legalized in most of Europe; however, the United States continues to ban absinthe and US citizens have to buy absinthe online from non-US producers.

Absinthe is made from several herbs and contains high alcohol concentration. Absinthe which was earlier invented to treat stomach illness soon acquired legendary status due to its unique effects. It was endorsed by nineteenth century bohemian artists and writers and soon became the favorite drink of the masses and classes. The great painters and writers considered absinthe as a creative stimulant and nicknamed it “the Green Fairy” and “the Green Muse”. Absinthe was prepared using an elaborate traditional ritual. Special absinthe spoons and absinthe glasses along with absinthe fountains were used in the preparation of the absinthe drink.

The drinks popularity soon spread to the United States and it gathered a significant fan following; however, mental illness and violent behavior of absinthe drinkers soon gave it a bad reputation. This resulted in absinthe being banned in Europe and other countries.

Thujone a substance present in wormwood was widely believed to cause absinthe madness and a condition called absinthism. Recent studies using advanced analytical tools proved that thujone content in pre-ban absinthe was well below dangerous levels. This new research led to absinthe being legalized in most European countries. Absinthe is easily available in UK and most other European countries. There is no ban on absinthe in Canada and Mexico.

You can also buy absinthe in the United States and many brands are available in liquor stores. The absinthe available in United States is actually the watered down version of the original genuine absinthe. Absinthe sold in the United States has to conform to laws that require thujone content to be less than 3 parts per million.

The good news is that US citizens can buy their absinthe online from non-US producers. There are many websites that sell European absinthe online. Thujone levels in European absinthe are much higher than those produced in the US. If you are lucky, the customs will let it pass; however, customs have the authority to confiscate the absinthe bottles and sue the importer as it is still considered a narcotic drug.

The best alternative available for US citizens is to order absinthe essence and make their absinthe. Genuine absinthe essence and other absinthe accessories can be ordered online from reputed sites such as absinthekit.com. The credit card information and transactions are kept confidential and secure. The products are shipped within two days and delivered within 5 days in Europe and 10 days in other parts of the world including United States.

Absinthekit.com guarantees delivery, you have to be 18 years or older to buy absinthe. Absinthekit.com has a well-manned customer service and support desk that handles all the service related issues diligently.

Artemisia Absinthium is the botanical and Latin name for the plant Common Wormwood. The name “Artemisia” comes from the Greek Goddess Artemis, daughter of Zeus and Apollo’s twin sister. Artemis was the goddess of forests and hills, of the hunt and also a protector of children. Artemis was later linked to the moon. It is thought that the Latin “Absinthium” comes from the Ancient Greek for “unenjoyable” or “without sweetness”, referring to wormwood’s bitter taste.

The herb, oil and seeds known as Wormwood are from the Common Wormwood plant, a perennial herb which often grows in rocky areas and on arid ground in Asia, North Africa and the Mediterranean. It has also been found growing in parts of North America after spreading from people’s gardens. Other names for common wormwood, or Artemisia Absinthium, are armoise, green ginger and grande wormwood.

Wormwood plants are pretty, with their silver gray leaves and tiny yellow flowers. Wormwood oil is produced in tiny glands on the leaves. The Artemisia group of plants also includes tarragon, sagebrush, sweet wormwood, Levant wormwood, silver king artemisia, Roman wormwood and southernwood. The Artemisia plants are members of the Aster family of plants.

Wormwood has been used as a herbal medicine since ancient times and its medical uses include:-
– Easing labor pains in women.
– Counteracting poisoning from toadstools and hemlock.
– As an antiseptic.
– To ease digestive problems and to stimulate digestion. Wormwood may be helpful in treating people who do not have sufficient stomach acid.
– As a cardiac stimulant in pharmaceuticals.
– Reducing fevers.
– As an anthelmintic to expel intestinal worms.
– As a tonic.

There is research claiming that wormwood may be effective in treating Alzheimer’s disease and Crohn’s disease.

Effects of Artemisia Absinthium

Wormwood is a key ingredient in the liquor Absinthe, the Green Fairy, which was banned in many countries in the early 1900s. Absinthe is named after this herb which also gives the drink its characteristic bitter taste,

Absinthe was banned because of its alleged psychedelic effects. It was thought to cause hallucinations and to drive people insane. Absinthe was also linked to the Bohemian culture of Parisian Montmartre with its loose morals, courtesans and artists and writers.

Wormwood contains the chemical thujone which is said to be similar to THC in the drug cannabis. There has been an Absinthe revival since the 1990s when studies showed that Absinthe actually only contained very small amounts of thujone and that it would be impossible to drink enough Absinthe, for the thujone to be harmful, because Absinthe is such a strong spirit – you would be comatose first!

Drinking Absinthe is just as safe as drinking any strong spirit but it should be consumed in moderation because it is about twice as strong as whisky and vodka.

Absinthe just is not real Absinthe without Artemisia Absinthium. Many manufacturers make “fake” Absinthes using other herbs and flavorings but these are not the real Green Fairy. If you want the real thing you must check that they contain thujone or Common Wormwood or use essences, such as those from AbsintheKit.com, to make your own Absinthe containing Artemisia Absinthium.

This plant is native to the Mediterranean regions of Europe and Asia. It is commonly known as absinthe, absinth, wormwood, or green ginger. Artemisia absinthium belongs to the Asteraceae family of plants. This plant escaped cultivation and can now be found all over Asia, Europe, Africa, North and South America. Artemisia absinthium can be cultivated by planting cuttings as well as seeds.

Since ancient times this plant has been used for medicinal purposes. The ancient Greeks used this plant to treat stomach ailments and as an effective anthelmintic. Artemisia absinthium contains thujone which is a mild toxin and gives the plant a very bitter taste. The plant is drought resistant and easily grows in dry soil. Artemisia absinthium is also used as an organic pest repellent.

This plant has many therapeutic uses. It has been used to treat stomach disorders and aid digestion. The plant has active elements such as thujone and tannic acid. The word absinthium means bitter or “without sweetness”. Artemisia absinthium is also called as wormwood. The word wormwood appears several times in the Bible, both in the Old Testament and the New Testament. Wormwood has been used for centuries to treat stomach ailments, liver problems, and gall bladder problems. Wormwood oil extracted from the plant is applied on bruises and cuts and also used to relive itching and other skin infections. Wormwood oil in its pure form is poisonous; however, small doses are harmless.

Artemisia absinthium is the main herb used in the production of liquors such as absinthe and vermouth. Absinthe is a highly alcoholic beverage that is considered to be one of the finest liquors ever made. Absinthe is green in color; however some absinthes produced in Switzerland are colorless. Several other herbs are used in the preparation of absinthe. Absinthes unique effects made it the most popular drink of nineteenth century Europe.

Parisian artists and writers were avid drinkers of absinthe and its association with the bohemian culture of nineteenth century is well documented. Some of the famous personalities who considered absinthe a creative stimulant included Vincent Van Gogh, Oscar Wilde, Pablo Picasso and Arthur Rimbaud.

By the end of nineteenth century thujone in absinthe was blamed for its harmful effects and absinthe was eventually banned by most countries in Western Europe. However, new research has shown that thujone content in pre-ban absinthe is below harmful levels and that the effects earlier attributed to thujone are grossly overstated. In the light of these new findings most countries legalized absinthe once again and since then absinthe has made a stunning comeback. The United States continues to ban absinthe and it will be while before absinthe becomes legal in the US. However, US citizens can order absinthe kits and absinthe essence and make their very own absinthe at home.

For more authentic information about absinthe and to order genuine absinthe essence, absinthe kits, and other absinthe accessories visit absinthekit.com

Anise, or Aniseed as it is sometimes referred to, is one of the main ingredients of Absinthe and is the main flavoring in Ouzo, a Greek alcoholic beverage.

Its botanical time is Pimpinella Anisum and it is a spice which is used in cooking and for flavoring candies like liquorice. Even though it has a liquorice taste, it is not related to the herb liquorice or licorice.

Anise is a flowering plant and is a member of the “Apiaceae” family of plants which are aromatic with hollow stems. The Apiaceae family includes fennel (another ingredient of Absinthe), carrots, parsnip, cumin, coriander and caraway. Anise is a herbaceous annual and it grows naturally in Southwest Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean.

Anise and Medicine

Anise has many medicinal uses:-
– As an antiseptic.
– To treat insomnia.
– To treat scorpion stings (when mixed with wine)
– To relive toothache.
– As an antispasmodic.
– To treat indigestion.
– To treat coughs, colds and bronchitis.
– To treat parasites, lice and scabies.
– As a breath freshener.

It is used in the manufacture of cough medicines and lozenges and used widely by aromatherapists.

Anise and Cooking

Anise is used in many sweets and candies – aniseed balls, aniseed wheels and many other candies throughout the world. It is also used in Indian cooking, Middle Eastern cooking, in cakes and cookies, stews, pickles and with fish.

Anise and Alcohol

It is a major ingredient in many alcoholic drinks throughout the world including:-
– Ouzo from Greece.
– Raki from Turkey.
– Sambuca from Italy.
– Arak, the Arabic drink.
– Pastis – the French aperitif.
– Absinthe – with other spices and herbs including wormwood, fennel, lemon balm, hyssop, angelica root, star anise, juniper, dittany, veronica and nutmeg.

Anise is also made to make some types of root beer in the US and to make a Mexican hot chocolate style drink called champurrado.

When Absinthe was banned in 1915 in France due to its controversial herbal ingredient Wormwood, many manufacturers and distilleries wanted to make an Absinthe substitute. French company Pernod, who first produced Absinthe, made Pernod Pastis. Pastis had many of the ingredients of Absinthe and its aniseed flavor but without wormwood. Absinthe is now legal in many countries around the world and so is back in production.

In the United States today, thujone, the chemical in wormwood, is still strictly regulated so normal Absinthe is still illegal. An American distillery is now making an Absinthe with minute quantities of thujone called Absinthe Verte. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) will only allow amounts of up to 10 parts per million of thujone so the distillery, St George, are sticking to the rules and have created an Absinthe which is low in thujone.

St George Absinthe Verte is made from brandy and herbs including wormwood, basil (which has an aniseed flavor), anise, fennel, tarragon and mint.

Anise can also be found in Absinthe essences from online companies like AbsintheKit.com who produce essences for the Absinthe industry and for people to mix at home with vodka or Everclear to make their own Absinthe liquor. These essences also contain the vital Absinthe ingredient wormwood. No Absinthe is complete without the flavor of anise and the bitter flavor of wormwood.

Anise or Pimpinella anisum is a flowering plant that is native to the Mediterranean and Southwest Asia. This is a small flowering plant that grows to about three feet tall. Anise is also known as anis. This plant bears white flowers in umbels and fruits are dry and oblong. This plant is primarily used as food plant from ancient times and was used to flavor many ancient cuisines.

Anise grows in fertile and well-drained soil; seeds are generally sown in spring. The plant has tap roots and is closely related to the carrot family. The plant is being used as a flavoring agent since ancient times. The Arabic name is anysum which is believed to have been derived from the Greek word anison. It is perhaps the oldest spice known both for its culinary and medicinal properties. Egyptologists claim that there is evidence to suggest that anise was used by ancient Egyptians as far back as 1500 B.C. The Romans used anise to aid digestion, anise spiced cakes were eaten by Romans after heavy meals to aid digestion.

Anise is aromatic and sweet; it contains liquorice like substance and is generally used in the preparation of confectioneries as well as breads. It is also used to flavor food, fish, soups, poultry, and vegetable dishes. Several alcoholic beverages also contain anise the more famous include pastis, Ricard, and Pernod. The Turks use anise to make their alcoholic beverage Raki and the Arabs use anise to make arak. Indians use anise mainly as a digestive after heavy meals.

Anise is one of the many herbs used in the preparation of the legendary nineteenth century liquor ‘absinthe’. Its sweet aromatic flavor reduces the bitterness of wormwood and gives absinthe a distinct taste. Anise also plays an important part in the louche effect when water is added to absinthe.

Anise is known to contain a substance called anethole. Anethole is an aromatic compound and is also found in fennel, star anise, and anise myrtle. Anethole is believed to be many times sweeter than sugar and is pleasant to taste even in higher concentrations. At room temperature anethole is in a crystalline form and melts at 21°C. Chemically anethole is close to estragole that is found in basil and tarragon. Anethole is mildly toxic if consumed in large quantity. Anise is believed to be a reliable cure for insomnia and like wormwood stimulates appetite.

Anise is an essential herb used in the preparation of absinthe and is accorded an important place in the holy trinity of herbs that define absinthe. Wormwood and fennel are the other two herbs that are a part of the holy trinity. It is these three herbs that give absinthe its distinct taste and cause its unique effects.

Absinthe has made a terrific comeback after being banned by most countries for almost a century. Absinthe is now legalized in Europe. However, the United States continues to ban the production and sale of absinthe. Possession and consumption of absinthe is not a crime and US citizens can buy absinthe online from non-US producers. The easiest way US citizens can have access to absinthe is to make their very own absinthe at home using genuine absinthe essence and absinthe kits. 20ml of high quality genuine absinthe essence is mixed in 730ml of vodka or any other neutral spirit to make 750ml of high quality absinthe at home.

There are several online stores that sell absinthe kits and essences. However, absinthekit.com is considered the most reliable and trusted name in this industry.

Absinthe wormwood is normally Artemisia Absinthium or Grand Wormwood which is actually a variety of wormwood which does not contain a vast amount of the chemical thujone. Some brands of Absinthe use Roman Wormwood, Artemisia Pontica, in addition to Grand Wormwood and this type of wormwood also contains thujone, so drinks with two types of wormwood may contain more thujone. Thujone amounts can differ between brands significantly, some Absinthes only have negligible amounts of thujone, whereas others have up to 35mg/kg. Only Absinthe which has negligible amounts of thujone is legal for sale in the USA because thujone is an illegal food additive there.

Why is there controversy about Absinthe Wormwood?

Common Wormwood, Artemisia Absinthium, is a plant which has been used in medicine since Ancient times. It has been used:-
– To counteract poisoning caused by toadstools and hemlock.
– As a tonic.
– To reduce a fever.
– As a stimulant to digestion.
– To treat parasitic intestinal worms.
It is the herb Wormwood which gives Absinthe its bitterness, its green color and its name. The essential herbal oils in Absinthe are also responsible for the famouse “louche” effect, the cloudy that happens when water is addded to the drink.
Absinthe was banned in the early 1900s in many countries because of the alleged harmful effects of the chemical thujone, found in Wormwood extract. Absinthe drinking was linked to violent crimes, serious intoxication, insanity and thujone was thought to have psychoactive and psychedelic effects and to be an hallucinogen. It was even claimed that a french man killed his whole family after drinking Absinthe – he was actually an alcoholic who consumed copious amounts of other alcohol after the Absinthe!
From being a trendy Bohemian drink enjoyed by many writers and artists, such as Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway and Oscar Wilde, it was suddenly a banned and illegal drink. It was banned in many European countries and also in the USA but was never banned in the UK, where it had never been popular, Spain, Portugal or the Czech Republic.

Absinthe Wormwood Revival

There was never any real evidence linking Absinthe drinking to hallucinations or insanity and it is now known that Absinthe is no worse than any other highly alcoholic drink. Absinthe has approximately twice the alcoholic content of spirits such as whisky and vodka and so should be consumed in moderation, but Absinthe wormwood is not thought to be harmful. Many Absinthe drinkers do report feeling a funny lucid or clear headed type of drunkenness when consuming a bit too much Absinthe – this could be due to the combination of the sedative effects of some of the herbs (and the alcohol content)and the stimulating effects of the Wormwood and other herbs.

Since Absinthe was legalized in many countries in the 1990s there has been a renewed interest, a revival, in Absinthe drinking. There are many different types and brands of Absinthe available to buy and buyers can even order Absinthe essence, to make their own Absinthe, online from companies like AbsintheKit.com.

Absinthe Wormwood is still the most important ingredient in Absinthe today but thujone content is strictly regulated in the European Union (no more than 10mg/kg) and the United States where only trace amounts are allowed. Look for Absinthes that contain real wormwood and herbs not artificial flavors.