Prompt Cast
The History and Myth of Absinthe
TLDR Absinthe, a high-proof liquor made from wormwood, became popular in France as a cheaper alternative to wine and gained a reputation for causing hallucinations and seizures. However, the ban on absinthe in many countries was based on moral panic and a made-up syndrome, and it has since been lifted with restrictions on its production and importation.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
This podcast episode is about the history and rituals surrounding absinthe, including its portrayal in movies like "From Hell" and "Moulin Rouge."
05:38
Absinthe is a type of liquor made from a neutral grain spirit and infused with botanicals including wormwood, which has been known for its medicinal properties for thousands of years.
11:06
Absinthe is often associated with hipster culture and has a strong bitter taste due to the compound called absinthe found in wormwood, but the myth that it causes hallucinations and seizures is not true as the amount of thujone, the substance responsible, is too small to have any significant effect.
16:55
The story of how absinthe was created involves a doctor named Pierre Ordinaire who was hiding out from the French Revolution and was trying to make wormwood palatable by adding botanicals like star anise, licorice, fennel, hisop, parsley, coriander, chamomile, and spinach.
21:57
Absinthe became popular as a drink after it was used as a medicinal with the French army and then became fashionable with the rest of France, especially among the higher class and artists, but its popularity increased when the wine industry in France was devastated by the insect phyloxera, making absinthe a cheaper alternative.
27:26
Absinthe became popular in France as a cheaper alternative to wine after the wine industry was devastated, and it is one of the highest proof liquors on the market, frequently reaching 60-80% alcohol.
32:25
Absinthe was embraced by the rebellious art community in France, including artists like Manet, Van Gogh, and Picasso, who were inspired by the idea that it could alter their perceptions, even though it was really just high proof liquor.
37:38
The temperance movement in France began to gain traction when Absinthe, a high-proof liquor, started to replace wine as the drink of choice for many working-class French people.
43:07
The temperance movement and the wine industry joined forces to target absinthe as a dangerous and low-class liquor, and the murder case of Jean Le Frey, fueled by absinthe's reputation, led to the banning of absinthe in many countries.
48:49
Absinthe was banned for over a hundred years in some places due to a moral panic and the creation of a made-up syndrome, but the ban started to be lifted in the late 80s and 88, with France removing the law against it in 2011 and the US in 2007, although there are still restrictions on its production and importation.
53:43
The hosts discuss the process of making a sazarak cocktail with absinthe and mention other cocktails that include absinthe as an ingredient.
58:30
This section does not contain relevant information related to the myth of absinthe.
Categories:
Society & Culture
