Pastis is an aniseed-flavoured, alcoholic
drink which is a classic apertif in Provence. Amber coloured
in the bottle, it turns a milky white when mixed with water.
It is often referred to as 'the milk of Provence.' It
is wonderfully refreshing!
Ellen's
favorite brand of Pastis is Henri Bardouin Pastis made by Distilleries
et Domaines de Provence.
Three
things go into the making of the Henri Bardouin Pastis: An
exceptional soil
- The region of Forcalquier and the Montagne de lure is listed
among France's one-hundred 'remarkable sites of taste'; A blend of flavors - instead of different
grape varieties this particular brand of Pastis is created from
Henri Bardouin's special blend from fifty plants and spices; and
A long
history
- Centuries of experience has given Henri Bardouin an invaluable
body of knowledge that has been passed from generation to generation.
Pastis
means "mixture" in the Provencal dialect. Even though
the Provencal soil and plants impart exceptional qualities to
his Pastis, it would not be possible to produce Henri Bardouin
Pastis without other plants and spices from all over the world.
Each continent, therefore, contributes to the quality of this
special brand of Pastis. Here are details of eleven of the fifty
plants and spices that are used Henri Bardouin Pastis (the
rest belong to their secret recipe, sorry!):
From Provence
Artemisia:
Artemisia's (Artemisia vulgaris) slightly green color
and touch of bitterness enhance the appetizing quality of Pastis
Centaury: Centaury (Centaurium
erythraea raffn) is often associated with artemisia. The
mixture of these two complementary plants enhances the refreshing
quality of Pastis
From
Equatorial Africa
Melegueta
Pepper:
Melegueta's (Afranum melageuta roscoe) peppery flavors contirubte
to the freshness and persistent aroma of Pastis
From
China
Star Anise:
There are numerous varieties of anise (green anise, fennel, etc.)
but star anise (Illicium verum) is considered the finest
and noblest. Henri Bardouin Pastis exclusively uses badian essence,
extracted from star anise
From
India
Cardamom:
Cardamom (Elettaria cardomomum) is at the very heart of
Pastis's aroma, contributing to a mellow and velvety quality
Black
Pepper and White Pepper: These peppers (Piper nigrum) bring
a spicy note that lingers on the lips
From
South America
The Tonka Bean:
The strongly flavored tonka bean (Dipteryx odorata) reinforces
the bouquet and adds the refined subtlety of mild tobacco flavors
From
Ceylon
Cinnamon:
Cinnamon (Cinnamoumum zeylanicum) imparts an exotic, well-rounded
flavor and softens the peppery aromas
From
the Moluccas
Nutmeg:
A nuance of nutmeg (Myristica fragans) adds to the overall
balance of this Pastis
Clove: Clove (Syzygium
aromaticum) adds a piquant, flowery note to the bouquet,
giving Henri Bardouin Pastis its typical fragrance
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To
Order
You
can now purchase HB Pastis in the United States by ordering it
directly via the web from:
Crillon Importers, Ltd at www.crillonimporters.com/
Salut!
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