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Enzian
Traditionally produced spirit drink from roots of the Great Yellow Gentian (Gentiana lutea) and of the Spotted Gentian (Gentiana punctata) in Tyrol.Record Number: 33
Disclosure Date
First mention of Enzian (gentian) by Pedanios Dioscorides in "De materia medica" in the first century AD.
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Enzian
(Gentian)
Abstract or claim
Traditionally produced spirit drink from roots of the Great Yellow Gentian (Gentiana lutea) and of the Spotted Gentian (Gentiana punctata) in Tyrol.
Name of product, Product class
Spirit drinks
Name of region
Tyrol, Austria
Field of search
Agriculture and Spirit drinks
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Holder of knowledge or associated resources
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Grantee(s), holder(s),
assignee(s) or owner(s) of title, if any
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Descriptors
- History:
Gentian roots have a long history of use as a medical herbal bitter which can be traced back to the period of Roman Emperors. In the first century AD Pedanios Dioscorides mentioned the yellow gentian as a remedy in his work "De materia medica". According to Dioscorides and Pliny the Elder, the plant is called after the Illyrian king Gentis (180 - 68 B.C.) who is said to have recommended it as a remedy against plague. Moreover, a mixture of gentian roots with pepper, rue and wine was regarded to help against getting stitches in the side and colics. For this purpose, dried roots were stored at home and, in case of need, grated and taken together with hot water.
The prominent ancient physician Galen of Pergamum (129- 199 A.D.) recommended the roots as a gout remedy and confirmed their power to purify the body, draining the bad fluids und relieving constipation.
In the Middle Ages, gentian root was often mentioned as a panacea in herb books.
Gentian roots and other bitter drugs were regarded as antifebriles and anthelminthics.
In the 15 th century, the gentian root was used to dilate wound channels.
From about 1650 to 1800 the digging up and the distillation of gentian roots flourished in Tyrol and constituted a serious threat to the survival of gentians.
Thus, as early as in 1694, the Hofkammer (the Court Chamber - an administrative body) prohibited the distillation of gentian roots in the Wipptal (Wipp valley) and Oberinntal (Upper Inn valley) by decree.
In 1700 the digging up and distillation of gentian roots was prohibited in the entire Tyrol by a sovereign mandate. However, illicit distilling increased and made it necessary to regulate the digging up of gentian roots in a different way.
In 1747 the landesfürstliche Kammer (administrative body of the sovereign) issued licenses for the digging up of gentian roots andimposed duties on them.
Since the 1960s, gentians have been protected by wildlife conservation measures in some areas. The digging up of gentian roots is strictly limited and is subject to a licence issued by the competent authority. However, special provisions are foreseen for the village of Galtür in the Silvretta region of Tyrol, where there is a lottery for the 13 digging licences every year.
- Region:
Tyrol. Great Yellow Gentian and Spotted Gentian are found in the Central and Southern Alps of Tyrol. The Zillertal (Ziller Valley) and the Inntal (Inn Valley) are the geographical centres of gentian digging.
- Gentian:
Gentians belong to the family Gentianaceae. The Great Yellow Gentian (Gentiana lutea) is found on lime-rich to slightly acid, and humus-rich deep up to 500-2500 m above sea level. The Spotted Gentian (Gentiana punctata) is lime-intolerant and grows on acid, lime-poor soils up to 1500-3000 m above sea level.
The development from seeds to flowering plants takes 8 years. The herbaceous perennial grows up to 1.4 m and is in flower from June to August. The flowers are yellow and trumpet-shaped. Gentians can become 60-years-old and can develop rootstocks weighing several kilogrammes.
The rootstocks taste bitter due to various bitter compounds. The bitter compounds show excellent appetising effects, stimulate the digestive system, and have antimicrobial and immunomodulating effects.
- Utilization:
Gentian roots are used fresh or dried for the production of herbal teas, herbal liqueurs and Enzian spirit drinks.
Gentian roots are regarded as anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, cholagogue, emmenagogue, febrifuge, refrigerant, stomachic and tonic.
Fresh gentian roots contain about 7-16% sugar; this content may increase to 30% in dried roots. However, the most important components are the bitter compounds, which give the special taste to Enzian spirit drinks.
For distillation purposes cleaned rootstocks are cut into small pieces which are put into mash barrels and covered with water for fermentation.
About 60 -70 rootstocks are necessary to yield 1 litre of this special spirit, which is called Enzianbrand, Enzianschnaps, Hochwurzner, Enzeler or simply Enzian. The minimum alcohol content by volume shall be 37.5% vol.
Enzian has a unique flavour and tastes a bit earthy. The strong flavour and the high price are reasons for offering the spirit drink sometimes in diluted form.
Enzian is recommended in cases of weakness of the stomach, pyrosis, acid indigestion, lack of appetite, anaemia, and to stimulate digestion, in particular the gall bladderactivity.
- Protection:
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Key Words
Agriculture and Spirit drinks, Tradtional Knowledge, Austria, Tyrol, region, Enzian, Gentian, Enzian spirit drink, Great Yellow Gentian, Gentiana lutea, Spotted Gentian, Gentiana punctata
Bibliography / References
- PISCHL J. Rohstoffe der Brennerei. In: Schnapsbrennen. Leopold Stocker Verlag, Graz, 1994; 23.
- MALLE B, SCHMICKL H. Chapter 6: Angesetzte. In: Schnapsbrennen als Hobby. Verlag Die Werkstatt
GmbH, Göttingen, 2003, 117.
- JUEN W, WIESER J, BÖHM T. Der Enzian. In: Das Tiroler Schnapsbuch- Edelbrände mit Tradition,
Verlagsanstalt Tyrolia, Innsbruck , 2002; 66-76.
- Enzian (Schnaps)
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enzian_(Schnaps)
- Sonstige Brände
http://www.schnapsnase.at/lexikon/lexikonsonst.html#
- Gentiana lutea - Gelber Enzian
http://www.awl.ch/heilpflanzen/gentiana_lutea/index.htm
- Galtürer "Enzner"
http://www.magellanworld.net/austria_essen_trinken_enzner.htm
- "Galtürer Enzner"
http://www.galtuer.gv.at/k-enzian.htm
- Enzian graben, Schluchten fluten. Über den Umgang mit natürlichen Ressourcen in Tirol
http://derstandard.at/?id=2146742
- Die Enzainwurzelgräber auf den Tiroler Almen (II.Teil)
http://www.almwirtschaft.com/images/stories/fotos/zeitungsarchiv/00/04_00_art5.pdf
- Die Enzainwurzelgräber auf den Tiroler Almen (I.Teil)
http://www.almwirtschaft.com/images/stories/fotos/zeitungsarchiv/00/03_00_art5.pdf
- Tüpfel- Enzian
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C3%BCpfel-Enzian
- Gentiana punctata
http://www.ibiblio.org
- Gentiana lutea
http://www.ibiblio.org
Language Code
German
Product of www.genuss-region.at
No
Regional contact
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Authors: Eva Sommer, Dr. Erhard Höbaus
10.11.2011, Lebensministerium III/4