Maotai vodka: what is it, where is it made, how to drink
Maotai filter - it is a kind of traditional Chinese baijiu moonshine with a strength of 35-53 degrees. It is bottled in the town of the same name in Guizhou province, at the factories of the Kweichow Moutai Company. This drink was appreciated by both emperors and dictators, and now it is an obligatory element of any Chinese feast at the highest level.
Drink of peasants and emperors
The history of Maotai is more than 2,000 years old. Its predecessor was Guozang, the strong moonshine of the peasants of the Han Empire. Rice field workers needed a strong drink to warm them up while working in the field. Later, Guozang got to the table of Emperor Wu-di, who appreciated its strength and taste. Since then, the peasant drink has been firmly established on the tables of the highest nobility.
The next page in the history of the drink was opened by the decree of Emperor Kangxi of the Qin Dynasty, which in 1704 assigned the name "Maotai" to it. Under this name, Chinese moonshine went to the 1915 International Exhibition in San Francisco, where it won universal recognition.
But Maotai became the hallmark of China with the advent of Mao Zedong. The "Great Leader" was a fan of this alcohol and in 1951 awarded it the title of "National Drink of China".
Classic technology is the key to success
Strangely enough, the long history has had virtually no effect on the technology of Maotai production. As it was hundreds of years ago, wheat and sorghum are fermented for several months using a special jiu qiu starter. At the same time, every month the workpiece is subjected to distillation, after which it is sent back to fermentation.
After 8 months of preparation, the distillate is poured into ceramic vats and aged for at least 3 years. The product is then filtered and blended with older samples. Some of them can be up to 50 years old. But, like any good alcohol, old Maotai only gets better over the years.
Price, taste and aroma of Maotai
The price tag for the drink can range from $130 to several thousand dollars, depending on the blend and aging. Inside, you will find a thick yellowish alcohol with a subtle soy flavor and a persistent aroma, which is the hallmark of this alcohol. And although some find it off-putting, few gourmets can resist the temptation to try this nectar.
How to drink Maotai
In most cases, Maotai is served with traditional Chinese food. But true connoisseurs of the drink prefer to refuse an appetizer or drink it only with green tea to fully appreciate its taste. And like most items from the Middle Kingdom, the culture of drinking Maotai is furnished with various traditions. Here are just some of them:
{banner_vtexte2} {banner_vtexte2} [/banner_vtexte2]Maotai is drunk from small glasses or bowls. According to tasters, this is how you can feel the whole bouquet and not get drunk at the same time.
When drinking the drink, glasses should always be full. But be careful, Maotai is very insidious and intoxication comes quickly and suddenly. Therefore, if you do not know your rate of this alcohol, it is better to skip the toast.
Speaking of toasting, when raising a glass of Maotai, hold it with your right hand and support it from below with your left. It is considered bad form to hold it with one hand.
The company where the feast takes place is also important. If there are only men at the table, you can pamper yourself by slowly sipping this delicate drink. But in the presence of ladies, men are obliged to drain the glasses in one spirit.
A bottle of Maotai is a worthy gift that will perfectly decorate any home bar. It can be presented even to an unfamiliar person. And if the recipient is a native of China, then such a gift practically guarantees his favor. No wonder there is a witty saying in China: "Those who buy Maotai don't drink it, and those who drink it don't buy it".
Update: 30.06.2018
Category: Vodka an Moonshine