What is Vodka?
Vodka is a clear liquid consisting of mostly water and ethanol purified by distillation from a fermented substance such as grain (rye or wheat), potatoes, corn, sugar beet molasses and even grapes. It has a high alcohol content that is usually around 80 proof (40%). The majority of vodkas produced for consumption in the United States and Western Europe are made from either wheat or rye. By law in these regions, vodka cannot have a distinctive color, smell, or flavor.
History of Vodka:
The exact timeline when vodka was first produced is unclear, but sources place its origin in the region of Poland or Russia between the 14th and 16th centuries. The word “Vodka” means “little water” in Russian. Originally, Vodka was made from potatoes and most were almost unpalatable and often had to be mixed with herbs, spices or honey to cover the offensive tasted and harshness. In the early 1800’s it was discovered that filtering vodka through activated charcoal created a more refined and purer product. Vodka did not take off in Western Europe and North America until the 1930’s.
How is Vodka made?
Grain or vegetables are put inside a mash tub, which is similar to a washing machine. While the tub rotates it breaks down the grains. Ground malt is added to the compound as it eases the conversion of the starches to sugar. The mash is then sterilized through a three stage process. First, the mash is heated until it reaches boiling point. Lactic acid bacteria is mixed into the mash in order to increase the acidity level needed for the vodka fermentation process. Once the acidity level is reached, the mash is once again sterilized. The mash is then streamed into stainless steel tanks. At this point yeast is added and the tanks are sealed. The yeast contains enzymes that in the next four days will turn the sugars in the mash to ethyl alcohol. The ethyl alcohol is injected to a column or pot still. The stainless column still is comprised of vaporization chambers stacked on top of each other. The alcohol is continuously heated up with steam while it cycles up and down until the vapors created from the heat are released and condensed. The alcohol vapors rise to the top vaporization chambers where they accumulate. At this point the vapors created by the distillation process also called, fine spirits, contain between 95%-100% alcohol. There is a need to liquefy the alcohol gases in order to make them drinkable. At this point water is added to dilute the alcohol concentration from 100% to 40%. The final stage is bottling the vodka.
How is Vodka Served?
Since straight vodka is basically odorless it can be easily mixed with almost anything. It is easily mixed with fruit juices, Tonic, Soda water and even other alcohols. Some like it just shaken on ice and served straight up in a martini glass. If serving vodka straight you must served it cold in order to truly enjoy and make sure the martini glass is chilled before hand. Make sure all of the utensils used to serve the vodka are very clean. Because of vodka’s pristine flavor, subtle impurities in the glass, strainer or ice can be easily detected, especially if you have grown accustom to your favorite vodka’s taste. Many of the modern flavored martinis use vodka as the base liquor. With flavored vodkas mixing becomes a little more of a challenge allowing you to use your creative mixing abilities to come up with unique cocktails. Many of the flavored vodkas are very tasty chilled and served up in a martini glass as well.
Sources for the above material came from the following:
Cheftalk.com
Vodka Perfect
Madehow.com
Absolut Vodka