Orujo: Galician pomace spirit

Galicia, Spain

Orujo is Galicia's distilled spirit — a clear pomace brandy made from the grape skins, seeds, and stems (orujo = pomace) remaining after wine pressing. The traditional production uses copper pot stills in home distilleries (alambiques), and orujo was historically the farmer's reward after the harvest — made from what was left over. The finest orujo is crystal clear, aromatic, and intensely flavoured with the grape variety used; the most widely drunk is blanco (plain), though there are also herbal (de hierbas), honey (de miel), and aged (envejecido) versions. Orujo plays a specific role in Galician food culture: it is drunk at the end of a meal in a small glass, often added to coffee (queimada), or used to put out the fire at the end of the caldo gallego pot.

Not yet written for this entry.

Not yet written for this entry.