{"id":4825,"date":"2021-02-13T17:32:19","date_gmt":"2021-02-13T15:32:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.elissos.com\/?p=4825"},"modified":"2021-02-13T17:32:19","modified_gmt":"2021-02-13T15:32:19","slug":"raki-is-the-fruity-signature-of-crete","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.elissos.com\/ru\/raki-is-the-fruity-signature-of-crete\/","title":{"rendered":"Raki is the Fruity Signature of Crete"},"content":{"rendered":"

The people of Crete<\/a> take pride in their alcoholic beverages and they accompany them during the most sacred meal of the day, lunch, and when they want to be hospitable. Which is always!<\/p>\n

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In this article, our goal is not to make you feel tipsy, but to present the signature alcoholic beverage in Crete<\/a>. That is no other than Raki, also known as Tsikoudia or Tsipouro<\/a> in other places in Greece. We will clear up the slight difference below, no need to worry. Furthermore, we will introduce you to one of the traditional experiences that we know you will love. Let\u2019s get right into the \u2018intoxicating\u2019 interesting facts!<\/p>\n

\"raki<\/p>\n

A Little Bit of History on Raki<\/h3>\n

The way raki is produced is a tradition of years. The roots of this tradition can be traced back to Ancient Greece<\/a>, where the art of raki was, above all, a passion. Looking at the uses of raki over time, we will see that naturalists used it as a medicine, while the Alchemists of the Middle Ages experimented with it to discover the elixir of life. Even Aristotle<\/a> suggested it for the conversion of seawater into drinking water. The art of raki was passed down from generation to generation.<\/p>\n

In the 1920s, the Cretan Prime Minister of Greece Eleftherios Venizelos<\/a> passed a law in Parliament on the distillation of raki, which gave the first licenses for cauldrons to farmers and winegrowers in Crete, so that they could start producing raki legally. In 1929, the year when due to heavy rains there were problems with raisins, the producers saved their harvest through raki, as a result of which the licenses for cauldrons increased sharply.<\/p>\n

Today, many hold a legal license and produce raki, while licenses are no longer issued due to strict legislation regarding alcohol. We find the most permits in Crete in the Prefecture of Heraklion<\/a>, as there are most acres of vineyards in Crete and throughout Greece<\/a>. However, many licenses were lost over time because they were not transferred or sold to other growers, with the result that out of the 1,400 cauldrons that used to operate, only 550 are active today.<\/p>\n

\"raki<\/p>\n

How to Make Raki<\/h3>\n

The modern way of making tsipouro from industrial units is done with its method fractional distillation -mainly discontinuous distillation. High-quality steam boilers are used, fully electronically regulated and controlled. This allows the manufacture of a high quality multiple distilled product, reducing the undesirable substances of distillation to a minimum. From the end of October to the middle of December, Greece and especially Crete, \u2018boils\u2019.<\/p>\n

\"raki<\/p>\n

Clarification of the Name<\/h3>\n

Tsipouro, tsikoudia, or raki? Tsipouro with or without anise, tsikoudia, raki, means the same thing. The only thing that changes is the single or double distillation, depending on the habits of each place or the decision of the «cook». Usually, the Macedonians and the Thessalians distill twice, the Cretans and the islanders, once! Also, the Cretans and the Epirotes prefer it Doric and without aromas. However, the Thessalians and the Macedonians want it with anise but also with myriads of other herbs, such as onion, rope, fruits, and vegetables. The Macedonians, the Epirotes, and the Cretans are considered masters of distillation, but the tsipouro, which has been registered as a Greek product, has its PGI<\/a> (protected geographical indications): tsipouro from Macedonia, Thessaly, Crete, and Tyrnavos. In addition, tsipouro contains 36-45 alcoholic degrees, while tsikoudia around 35.<\/p>\n

\"raki<\/p>\n

Health Benefits<\/h3>\n

This particular distillate in small doses (1-2 glasses) offers health benefits as it is pure without the addition of dyes and industrial alcohols. It has an anxiolytic effect and cheers the heart and the spirit, thus relaxing us. Other properties are its contribution to the process of digestion and consequently to the easier digestion. Due to the alcohol it contains it causes vasodilation and reduction of blood pressure. It is considered a suitable drink for those people who follow a diet program as it changes the balance of fats in the blood by increasing the good cholesterol in the blood (HDL) which has a cardioprotective effect and respectively reduces the bad (LDL). It has antimicrobial properties so it is used as a sedative for colds, headaches, and fever.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t