Unicum

In this article, the topic of Unicum will be addressed from a broad and detailed perspective, in order to provide the reader with a complete and in-depth vision of it. Various facets and aspects related to Unicum will be explored, analyzing its importance and relevance in different areas. In addition, different points of view and opinions from experts on the topic will be presented, with the aim of enriching knowledge and understanding about Unicum. Throughout the article, statistical data, examples, case studies and practical exercises will be provided that will allow the reader to delve deeper into the topic and apply the knowledge acquired.

A bottle of Unicum

Unicum (pronounced [ˈunikum]) is a Hungarian herbal liqueur or bitters, drunk as a digestif and apéritif. The liqueur was created in 1790 and is today produced by Zwack according to a secret formula of more than forty herbs; the drink is aged in oak casks. During communism in Hungary, the Zwack family lived in exile in New York City and Chicago, and Unicum in Hungary was produced using a different formula. Before moving to the United States, János Zwack had entrusted a family friend in Milan with the production of Unicum based on the original recipe. After the fall of communism, Péter Zwack returned to Hungary and resumed production of the original Unicum.

The texture of the drink is "thick, black, goopy" and so bitter that it is often described as an acquired taste. The drink's name originates from the words of Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II, who in 1790, when being given the drink, said (in German) "Das ist ein Unikum!" ("This is unique!").

Unicum is regarded as one of the national drinks of Hungary. The production facility offers tours which include a tasting session of the multiple different varieties including Unicum and Unicum Plum. According to the manufacturer, the original Unicum is no longer distributed in the United States, having been replaced by Unicum Next (a sweeter, thinner-bodied drink with a more prominent citrus flavour), re-branded as "Zwack".

See also

References

  1. ^ Zwack website
  2. ^ Unicum website Archived 2010-02-18 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ Báánfalvi, Carolyn (2006). "Unicum: A Drink with a Past". Gastronomica. 6 (4): 78–82. doi:10.1525/gfc.2006.6.4.78.
  4. ^ ""Das Ist Ein Unikum!"". Forbes. Retrieved 2021-07-26.
  5. ^ Alia Akkam (31 December 2018). "Unicum: The extraordinary history of Hungary's national drink". CNN. Retrieved 2021-07-26.

External links