In search of the supreme "Enzian"
, we went to the "Grassl Distillery" deep in the mountains of the German Alps.

The root of the gentian, an alpine plant found in the Alps, is the ingredient of a traditional "bitter" liquor that has been popular in the surrounding regions such as Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy, and Austria. We visited the flagship store of Enzianbrennerei Grassl ("Grassl Distillery"), the oldest mountain distillery in Germany, which has been producing "Enzian," a distilled spirit of gentian, for over three centuries.

writer：Rika Higashi（ポルトガル在住）

Opening photo: yellow-flowered gentian, native to the Alps. © Enzianbrennerei Grassl Top: "Enzian Herb Liquor" from the Grassl distillery, filled with the bounty of the Alps. © Enzianbrennerei Grassl

What is "Enzian" anyway?　What is a "gentian?"

Enzian is the German word for gentian or a liquor made from gentian.

(Gentian is Latin)

Since this is a bit confusing, hereafter the plant used as a raw material will be referred to as gentian and the spirit of gentian as Enzian.

The gentian, an alpine plant in the Gentian family, is famous for its bright blue flowers, also known as "Alpine blue," and there are more than 230 species of gentian native to the Alpine region.

Of these, only four can be used as ingredients for alcoholic drinks.

These are long-stemmed, yellow or purple flowers that grow very slowly, and it takes 10 to 20 years for the roots to reach a usable size.

These deep underground roots are difficult to collect, and this is where the "gentianist" (Wurzengraber) with his special skills comes in.

The genus name Gentiana is said to derive from the name of Gentius, the last king of Illyria (now western Balkans), which existed from 180 to 167 BC.

It is said that King Gentius himself discovered the medicinal properties of Gentiana when he wished to save his people from suffering from illness and injury.

It is characterized by its unique bitter flavor, and even today is known as a bitter stomachic that is effective for appetite enhancement, indigestion, stomach pain, heartburn, diarrhea, and nausea, and is also used as a bitter ingredient in various alcoholic drinks.

The most representative alcoholic beverage made mainly from gentian is the French liqueur "Suze," which is said to have been "loved by Picasso.

Other examples include "Aperol," with its bright orange color, and "Campari" and "Fernet Blanca," whose ingredients are said to be a secret, as well as being one of the bitter ingredients in "Fernet Blanca.

The Grassl distillery in the German Alps, which we visited this time, produces "Enzian," a spirit made exclusively from gentian roots, using traditional methods.

(In other words, you can taste the gentian flavor to the fullest!)