Absinthe spoons, Absinthe glasses, fountains, drippers and brouillers are all collectively known as Absinthiana and are the accoutrements used in the preparation of Absinthe. Due to high valued original items these antiques and collectibles are available at significant amount.
A person unable to buy original Absinthiana can buy replicas from companies.One can visit AbsintheKit.com to prepare the perfect Absinthe in style.
Types of Absinthe Spoons
Absinthe spoons, cuilleres, were introduced in the 1880s to make Absinthe preparation easier. In the past perforated cups over Absinthe glasses had been used. These spoons were pierced or slotted for dripping of sugar and water into the absinthe.
Absinthe spoons or cuilleres come in various forms and are also made out of numerous different kinds of metal including silver, nickel and chrome. Marie-Claude Delahaye, a historian specializing in Absinthe history, has concluded that there are over 375 different types of Absinthe spoon.
The most common type of spoon is shaped like a trowel and is called the French Pelle and this group of cuilleres includes the pretty “les feuilles d’Absinthe” which have got Absinthe foliage designs on them. 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. The final group is known as “Les cuilleres” which has a long handle and a cradle for holding sugar cubes.
Some of the most famous Absinthe spoons are “Les Cuilleres de Poilus”. French soldiers created these Cuillere spoons using the materials like 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. These spoons were created by the soldiers for their own drinking cups. Now a person can get these beautiful and unique spoons as 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. Absinthe was legalized in many countries in the 1990s after it was claimed of having no harmful effects.
The Absinthe Ritual
There is a ritual to be followed by lovers of the Green Fairy (Absinthe). To make the perfect Absinthe one will require following items
– Benefits of an Absinthe spoon
– Importance of an Absinthe Glass
– Absinthe
– Take iced water
A few people would like to use an Absinthe fountain, brouiller or carafe for the water.
The process of preparing Absinthe
– The glass should not contain more than 25-50ml of Absinthe.
– Rest Absinthe spoon on the glass and put a sugar cube on it.
– Drip the iced water slowly onto the sugar cube. From the bottom of the glass the louche arises.
Due to insolubility of the essential oils in water louche is visible. The finished drink should be milky or cloudy looking.
The accurate ratio of water and Absinthe lies between 3:1 and 5:1.
The Absinthe ritual can become entertaining with the use of Absinthe spoons and other Absinthiana.