Distilling the Cretan spirit

Combining STEM with local tradition: Distilling the Cretan spirit

by Konstantinos Manolakis Scientix Ambassador Scientix has received funding from the European Union’s H2020 research and innovation programme – project Scientix 3 (Grant agreement N. 730009), coordinated by European Schoolnet (EUN). The content of the presentation is the sole responsibility of the presenter and it does not represent the opinion of the European Commission (EC) nor European Schoolnet (EUN) and neither the EC nor EUN are responsible for any use that might be made of information contained.

Chania, November 2017

What is tsikoudia?

Tsikoudia* is a clear alcoholic beverage, a very strong spirit; every year most of the households produce this in Crete. Its use is not only as an aperi<f, but also for its therapeu<c powers that locals believe it has. Tsikoudia has a long standing history in Crete. *[tʃɪkʊðjá:] Distilling the Cretan spirit Konstantinos Manolakis, Scientix Ambassador Chania, Crete

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Where does it come from?

*[tʃíkʊðʌ]

Tsikoudia is not produced from must, as wine is. It is a product of dis*lla*on, that comes from the marc, or pumace of the grapes that are called tsikouda*.

This byproduct created from the wine making process, is kept for about six weeks in <ghtly-sealed barrels, and then the fermented mush is dis<lled.

Έτσι τα στέμφυλα ζυμώνονται και μάλιστα σε χαμηλές Distilling the Cretan spirit Konstantinos Manolakis, Scientix Ambassador θερμοκρασίες (20οC) Chania, Crete για να διατηρηθούν τα ποικιλιακά αρώματά τους.

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How much alcohol â&#x20AC;Ś?

*[rĘ&#x152;kĂ­:]

Tsikoudia is also referred to as Raki*, mainly in the eastern Crete.

It contains 40%-45% alcohol by volume (minimum of alcoholic strength by volume 37.5% according to the EC legisla<on, 110/2008). The dis<lla<on license is a very strict that the s<ll must be kept working day and night during October and November un<l it expires.

Distilling the Cretan spirit Konstantinos Manolakis, Scientix Ambassador Chania, Crete

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The distillation

*[kĘ&#x152;zĂĄ:nemĘ&#x152;]

The tradi<onal dis<lla<on of the Cretan tsikoudia, the kazanema* is considered almost a ritual. It takes place in s<lls usually made of copper. The dis<lla<on is a slow process in low temperatures. The vapor is fed into a condenser, which cools the vapor and changes it back into a liquid which is called dis*llate.

Distilling the Cretan spirit Konstantinos Manolakis, Scientix Ambassador Chania, Crete

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The distillate

methanol

ethanol

*[protorĂĄ:ki]

The dis<llate is collected drop by drop. The ďŹ rst produce, protoraki*, is very strong and dangerous to drink. It usually contains a high percentages of methanol (wood spirit), which is highly toxic to the nervous system and thus unďŹ t to consump<on. The rest part of the dis<llate is diluted with water to reach the proper alcoholic strength of ethanol (at least 40%).

The maximum methanol concentra<on should not be more than 8 g per liter.

Distilling the Cretan spirit Konstantinos Manolakis, Scientix Ambassador Chania, Crete

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The distiller Copper is the best material for the dis<llers because of its high heat conduc<vity and ability to bind some vola<le substances with a characteris<c bad odor contained in the marc, preven<ng them from passing into the dis<llate due to sedimenta<on. In this way, it frees the dis<llate from unwanted smells and ďŹ&#x201A;avors. Aten<on: permissible limit of copper in dis<llate is 1 ppm.

Distilling the Cretan spirit Konstantinos Manolakis, Scientix Ambassador Chania, Crete

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The party The kazanema is a great opportunity for gatherings and cause for a party. Friends are invited and a barbecue is organized at the dis<llery, with coals from the ďŹ re of the cauldron, delicious Cretan snacks and plenty of wine and freshly made tsikoudia. Local musicians are there to uplix the spirits. Even today the tradi<on con<nues, showing how important coming together is in Cretan society. If you travel to Crete in November, a must go is a local dis<llery.

Distilling the Cretan spirit Konstantinos Manolakis, Scientix Ambassador Chania, Crete

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The invitation

*[Stʌvrʌe6]

Every year “Stavraetoi”* (a tradi<onal life and dance associa<on) hosts an event like this and everybody is welcome to have a taste the Cretan spirit. Tsikoudia should be drunk sensibly and in modera<on. This tradi<on is an example of how STEM can help us not squander anything of which nature provides us, and of course this bonding process of togetherness provides life with fuller happier experiences!

Distilling the Cretan spirit Konstantinos Manolakis, Scientix Ambassador Chania, Crete

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