About Vodka
Vodka is a distilled alcoholic beverage and is one of the world's most popular drinks. Unlike other drinks, which get their unique flavors from the grains, fruit, or other products they are made from, vodka is deliberately produced in a way that minimizes its flavor. The most pricey vodkas are those with almost no flavor other than that of water and ethanol alcohol. Does this Spark an idea?
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History
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Vodka originated in Russia around the year 1000 A.D. It was first called "bread wine" and was relatively low in alcohol. The term vodka was not adopted until the 18th century. Literally, vodka means "little water." In Tsarist Russia, up to 40 percent of the state income was provided the taxes paid on sales of vodka. As a result, the government encouraged consumption of domestic vodka, which quickly became the country's most popular alcoholic drink.
Types
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Two types of vodka are widely available in the United States: clear, or plain vodka, and flavored vodka. Clear vodka usually has a higher alcohol content and contains as few impurities as possible. Flavored vodka is usually of a lower alcohol content and has natural or artificial flavorings added to improve the taste. The most popular flavored vodkas are those flavored with pepper, citrus, berries, or vanilla. Although vodka is traditionally made from grain or potatoes, it may be made using almost anything. Vodka is not categorized based on what it is made from, since the end products are indistinguishable from each other.
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Features
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Most clear vodkas are between 80 and 100 proof, or 40 to 50 percent ethanol. Flavored vodkas are usually slightly lower in alcohol, between 60 and 80 proof (30 to 40 percent ethanol). Higher alcohol versions are occasionally found in the U.S., though they are widely available in Eastern Europe. Vodka is thought to be less likely to induce hangovers because it consists almost entirely of ethanol and water with few contaminants.
Geography
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Although vodka is popular worldwide, Russia, Poland and the Ukraine consume most of the world's vodka. About 70 percent of the alcohol consumed in Russia is vodka. In Eastern Europe and Russia, vodka is usually consumed chilled, straight up, in shot glasses. In the United States, vodka is rarely drunk straight; instead it is prized for its usefulness in making mixed drinks. Because of vodka's neutrality, it is can be added to nearly any drink to give it a "kick". A screwdriver, for example, is merely juice with a kick: a shot of vodka added to a glass of orange juice.
Warning
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When traveling in Eastern Europe, beware of "bathtub vodka." This homemade vodka is frequently adulterated with products that contain high levels of ethanol, such as certain household cleaners. Over 100 deaths have been attributed to its consumption. Like any alcohol, vodka can be deadly in large quantities and heavy use can lead to liver damage and other health problems. Vodka is considered to be especially risky for binge drinkers because it is easier to drink than most other distilled liquor. As a result, over-consumption to the point of coma or death is somewhat more common when drinking vodka.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Creative Commons image by Terren
