When you go to the Amalfi Coast in Italy, you will be amazed by the scenery along the way. The winding mountain roads, the blue sea with the blue sky under the cliffs outside your window, and you can see the scattered houses of the town of Amalfi in the distance. Believe me, this is of course just the beginning, there are many more amazing things waiting for you, for example, I will introduce Limoncello.
Limoncello is very popular with girls and tastes like fruit juice, but in reality it is a liqueur with a high alcohol content (usually about 25% alcohol by volume). It is mainly produced in the south of Italy, with the Amalfi Coast being one of its main production areas. It is also produced on the islands of Procida, Ischia and Capri, as well as on the islands of Puglia, Sicily and Sardinia.
Although it is made of lemon, it is neither sour nor astringent. It has a good balance of acidity and sweetness and is very refreshing. Although it is a liqueur, it does not make you feel too sweet. It is very popular throughout the Italian Peninsula. After eating in the summer, a cold drink is good for digestion. A sip of Limoncello is like being kissed by the sun, a sigh of relief that Italians know too much to enjoy.
Lemons are abundant in Italy. The main lemons used for citric acid production are Limone Di Sorrento (Sorrento lemons) and sfusato amalfitano (amafi lemons). They are a few larger circles than regular lemons and may differ from the iPhone 4 and iPhone 6 plus. compared to regular lemons, these lemons have thicker white meridians under the skin, fewer seeds, and less acidic pulp. The locals in Amalfi even eat them directly, with some sugar on top.
Solento lemons and amafi lemons are certified for geographical protection (IGP) and they produce some of the best lemons in Italy. Their lemon peel is thick and oily, and when rubbed or peeled, it gives off a strong aroma. So don’t be surprised to see a variety of lemon peripherals in or around Amalfi. From lemon soap to lemon perfume to the most famous lemon wine, they take over the streets.
It’s not an exaggeration. What I still remember most about Amalfi is a small seaside town with a lemon scent. Ocean blue and lemon yellow are its colors, and the bright yellow is like a shadow. Almost every small store has a different type of yellow lemon yellow bottle on the door, such as a slim bottle, a belly bottle, or a moon bottle. Many manufacturers like to do something with the packaging.
Lemon soap is often found with different sizes of lemon soap, in the shape of lemons, and with various crafts made from lemons or lemon trees. Handicrafts are another very well-developed industry in Amalfi. Many ceramic studios are located in Amalfi, selling pieces that are unique in the world.
The origin of Limoncello is unclear, but it is likely that, like other spirits, it first appeared in monasteries. The Campania region (especially the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento and Capri) and the Liguria region (five fishing villages) are still fighting for the ownership of its birthplace.
In fact, there is no uniform formula for Limoncello. It is made by each family according to its own taste and then passed down from generation to generation. It was not until the last century that it was produced commercially. Now almost every store or restaurant has its own or favorite brand of limoncello. A palate cleanser or after-dinner limoncello is perfect.
The production process is not complicated. First, the lemon needs to be fresh enough. Only the yellow part of the lemon peel is taken, the white meridian is removed, it is soaked in a spirit (such as vodka) until the oil leaks out, and then the yellow liquid is mixed with syrup. The whole production process lasts 70-80 days.
Different sugar to water ratios and temperatures will affect the clarity and flavor of the lemonade. We see that the wine is opaque, which is the result of the spontaneous emulsification of the syrup and lemon oil.
The Italians have also been very brave in trying and developing many varieties of lemon wine, such as cello (happy fruit wine), melon (cantaloupe wine), strawberry wine and so on.
If you don’t like the high alcohol content of limoncello, there is a relatively low crema di limoncello to choose from. It is sweeter, stronger, and lighter in color than standard limoncello. In short, no matter what type of drink you want, the Italians have got you covered. Don’t forget to bring a few bottles back with you when you go to Italian competitions.
