Rum: drink with pirate romance

Rum is an extremely romantic drink. Born in the XVII century, during the times of the filibusters, slave traders, hunters, and colonists, he still retained the reputation "this booze" for adventurers.Rum was extremely popular with pirates of the Caribbean, who were hunting for merchant ships. What is very clear - this drink is not only amused, raised morale and blunt hunger, but also warmed. For the same reasons rum was entered in the daily diet of British seamen, and this tradition was preserved in Her Majesty's Navy until 1970.

In the days of prohibition rum illegally imported to America - mainly from Cuba. This fact was well known, the smugglers had a reputation, almost heroes, and the route was called "Rum road".

Today the Roma range is quite diverse. Rum from different Islands vary in taste and aroma, but there are two main types of rum. Unfortunately, the names of these groups do not caress very the ear is an industrial and agricultural (by way of processing).
Industrial, and agricultural Roma are divided into types, which have their own peculiarities of production. For example, if distillation were used distillation apparatus of the same type as for the production of cognac ("alambic charentais"), we get a heavy rum (Jamaican). Conversely, a continuous distillation apparatus "patent still" gives light rum.

Manufacturing Roma

Rum from different Islands vary in taste and aroma, but there are two main types of rum. Unfortunately, the names of these groups do not caress very the ear is an industrial and agricultural (by way of processing). Raw material for industrial Roma serves syrup, which remains after sugar production - the present industrial production. The syrup is produced by boiling cane juice.

Agricultural rum too "begins" from the juice of cane, only from him prepare the mash, and then distil, receiving the spirit, i.e. the production of sugar in no way connected with the production of this type of rum. However, the initial stage of production of all Roma are the same. The lower part of the stalks of sugar cane (it contains the largest amount of sucrose) cut into pieces and crushed. Then from this mass wring out the juice, which is purified and filtered. Since then, the process varies. In the production of industrial rum sugar cane juice is heated, bringing it to the consistency of syrup until sugar crystals are formed. They are separated from the molasses centrifuges, rafinuyut and get the regular sugar. And the remaining syrup is placed in a special tank, add water, yeast and leaven" (leftovers from a previous distillation). After fermentation, the resulting composition distil. Sometimes, in order rum came out with a special bouquet wizard distillation using some supplements: cinnamon, vanilla, fruit, etc.

Agricultural rum is produced exclusively in the overseas departments of France and Haiti. As already mentioned, the sugar cane juice with yeast undergoes fermentation. The mash is distilled to obtain rum alcohol about 55% vol. It is obvious that the production volume is not as great as the industrial Roma, which covers more than 90% of all brands. Received rum alcohol, which strength is 65-80% vol., dilute with distilled water and lay on the shutter speed or in oak barrels, giving the rum and amber tint, either in metal vats, leaving it colorless.

Types of industrial Roma

"young" (traditional) - light rum, which matured in metal vats, or dark rum, past short-term exposure (over several months in oak barrels. However, light rum, too, can have color, but it gives the drink a caramel colorant (valid ranges of 0.4 - 0.5%). Fortress "young" Roma 40-44%.

"old" rum matured in oak casks for at least 3 years. He usually has a delicate, refined taste. Its strength is 44-47%.

"fragrant" - during the production of this rum syrup is subjected to a particularly lengthy process of fermentation. In the rum has a rich strong flavor. It is quite often used in blends with other Roma. In its pure form "fragrant" rum is not used, except for use as an additive in confectionery products.

"easy" the flavor of this rum is usually very easy and poorly defined: the result of a rapid fermentation and distillation at elevated temperature. It is primarily used for cooking and cocktails "long drinks". Its strength varies from 37 to 45% vol.

Agricultural Roma

"white grapes" - rum alcohol, which after distillation runs in the danger not any further processing. It is colorless, has a distinct taste and is often used for cocktails and punches.

"old" - rum, aged in oak barrels for at least 3 years. It is thin and fragrant. Its quality can be compared with the quality of good brandy.

In addition to industrial and agricultural there is another kind Roma - Tapia. It is produced from waste molasses. This rum is produced in several countries, mainly for local consumption.

Regardless of their primary type of rum is light and dark. Like many other spirits (whisky, cognac, Armagnac), rum immediately after distillation, colorless, and various shades of purchases only during the exposure.

Bright (or white) rum remains colorless even after exposure, because it uses tanks of stainless steel, and they, as is known, the colours do not give. This rum is softer dark, it is combined with many fruit juices, liqueurs and soft drinks, so indispensable in cocktails. However, its subtle and sometimes weak odors quickly evaporate, so it is not recommended to use as the basis for making hot drinks - punches or gregov.

Dark rum is aged in oak barrels. In them the drink becomes color - shades of gold or amber. Rum can also be tinted caramel color. Aged dark rum - very fragrant, sweet, burning taste. It is ideal for punches and magnificent in itself. And if you just cut gilotina the tip of luxury cigars… cocktail with rum cocktail with rum

Rum usually served in glasses "old-fashioned" with thick walls and an even thicker bottom, and always with the addition of ice, you can add a drink and a slice of lemon.
Rum is normally mixed with sodas, syrups, fruit juices. Based cocktails rum often richly decorated: it can be paper umbrellas, sparklers or, for example, orchids, and some cocktails are served in half a coconut.
Rum is a wonderful flavor, so it is widely used in the confectionery industry and even in the tobacco industry - some exquisite varieties of cigars possess incomparable smell of rum.

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