Absinthe spoons, Absinthe glasses, fountains, drippers and brouillers are all collectively known as Absinthiana and are the accoutrements used in the preparation of Absinthe. A person can purchase these antiques and collectibles at quite substantial amount of money.
Companies like AbsintheKit.com sell replicas for the one who cannot afford original Absinthiana.AbsintheKit.com can help in preparing perfect Absinthe in style.
Types of Absinthe Spoons
Absinthe spoons, cuilleres, were introduced in the 1880s to make Absinthe preparation easier. People used perforated cups over Absinthe glasses in the past. These spoons were pierced or slotted to allow sugar and water to drip through into the absinthe.
Absinthe spoons, or cuilleres, come in many different shapes and sizes and are also made out of many different kinds of metal including silver, nickel and chrome. Marie-Claude Delahaye, a historian specializing in Absinthe history, has concluded that Absinthe spoons are available in more than 375 different types.
The French Pelle is the most common type of spoon shaped like a trowel which includes the pretty “les feuilles d’Absinthe”. The popular spoon design featuring the Eiffel Tower was designed to celebrate the inauguration of the Eiffel Tower in 1889.
The second group of Absinthe spoons is the group of “les Grilles” or “Les Grillagees” meaning lattice. One can also buy “Les cuilleres” having a long handle and a cradle to hold the cube of sugar.
“Les Cuilleres de Poilus” is one of the most famous Absinthe spoons. A Poilu was a French soldier from the Great War and these Cuillere spoons were fashioned by soldiers at war using materials which were close at hand – shell casings, aluminum, tin and brass. These spoons were only made at the start of the war because Absinthe was banned in France in 1915. Soldiers designed these spoons to fit their own drinking cups. These beautiful and unique spoons are now highly collectible antiques.
Absinthe was banned because of the alleged psychedelic and psychoactive effects of thujone, the chemical found in the herb wormwood which is a major ingredient in Absinthe. In the 1990s Absinthe was given right in most countries because it was known that Absinthe was not dangerous for anyone.
The Absinthe Ritual
There is a ritual to be followed by lovers of the Green Fairy (Absinthe). To make the perfect Absinthe you need:-
– Getting an Absinthe spoon
– An Absinthe Glass
– Absinthe
– Iced water is necessary
Some people would utilize an Absinthe fountain, brouiller or carafe for the water.
One can make Absinthe in the following manner :-
– The amount of Absinthe taken in the glass should be 25-50ml.
– Rest Absinthe spoon on the glass and put a sugar cube on it.
– A person should slowly drop the iced water over the sugar cube. From the bottom of the glass the louche arises.
Louching or clouding is caused because of non mixing nature of the essential oils in water. The drink should be milky or cloudy after being finished.
Depending on taste the ratio of water and Absinthe should lie between 3:1 and 5:1.
The Absinthe ritual can become entertaining with the use of Absinthe spoons and other Absinthiana.