A trip through green history
Throughout history, certain times have risen almost to the category of legend, becoming temporary capsules of creativity, madness and genius. One of those magical moments took place in London in 1960, where a cultural revolution driven by young people shake the foundations of society. But, oh, if we look back, it is difficult not to feel a stab of envy when remembering the mystique of Paris during the Belle Époque.
What is that green?
Absenta is not just a drink; It is a phenomenon. Invented in 1790 by the French doctor Pierre Ordinaire, this elixir was based on the alien, a bitter plant used since the time of the Greeks and Egyptians to treat ailments. His fame soon crossed borders and, in the nineteenth century, revolutionized the European ethyl panorama.
The rise of the ‘green fairy’
Commercial production began when Major Dubied took over the recipe and began to mix it with anise and fennel. During the war in Algeria, it became a supplement for soldiers, leaving a legacy that would continue in the Parisian bistós. Who did not try a glass of absenta in the Moulin Rouge, had the bohemian life really lived?
The drink of geniuses and crazy
As the popular green liquor intensified, it became synonymous with creativity. From Oscar Wilde to Vincent Van Gogh, many renowned artists were looking for the mystical push that the absence promised. Of course, the scandals were not lacking, such as the famous Edouard Manet painting, which staggered the Parisian morals.
Recipes for inspiration (and madness)
The way to serve the absence became almost ritualistic: a lump of sugar, a special spoon and a touch of cold water, all to produce that milky effect on the drink that sighs the poets and tremble critics. But instead of a sip of inspiration, some flowed into miseries.
The dark turn of the beautiful Époque
Everything that goes up has to go down, and the absence was no exception. By 1910, unbridled trade and allegations of violence began to stain their reputation. Stories of debauchery, such as Jean Lanfray, marked a drastic change in public perception, leading to a wave of prohibitions. Interestingly, the absence that was once celebrated, became demonized.
The ills of ‘absintism’
Psychiatrist Valentin Magnan was a pioneer in describing a new phenomenon: ‘absintism’, an alleged pathology that accused the absence of causing madness. However, many argue that the true root resides in the abuse of alcohol in general. Was the villain really, or simply a scapegoat?
The Renaissance of Green Fairy
Despite its prohibition and the dark years in its history, the rebirth of absence has been a story of redemption. Today, the drink has returned with a new respect and occurs under strict legal standards. In countries such as Spain, France and the Czech Republic, culture lovers can return to the green fairy, but this time, with a sip of responsibility.
The science of green
Scientists have begun to study absence with greater interest, beyond their myths. The focus has been in Tuyona, a compound that, although with a reputation of hallucinogen, it has been shown that it does not produce effects similar to those of THC. In summary, absence seems to be more a reflection of its times than a real cause of madness.
The legacy of the absenta
At the end of the day, absenta remains a mixture of history, myth and culture. His journey from the banquets of artists to his social condemnation represents a battle between art and morality. Perhaps we should simply remember that, as well as a good glass of absence, life is a balance between enjoyment and moderation.
