Fernet Branca in Argentina: consumption, history and ritual
Fernet Branca is very popular in Argentina. It is considered a bitter alcoholic beverage made from various types of herbs, which are macerated in grape alcohol, filtered and aged in oak barrels for a period that can be from 6 to 12 months. We will be talking about it with the beverage and liquor specialist, Emiliano Sosa.
"Its origin dates back to the mid-19th century, and there are several versions about its true origin.
There are those who maintain that it was created in France, other versions indicate that it was in Czechoslovakia, but most take us to Italy, more precisely in the province of Lombardy. There are those who say that it was created by a foreign apothecary, apparently Austrian, with the last name Fernet, " explains the specialist.
Fernet is considered a bitter alcoholic beverage made from various types of herbs, which are macerated in grape alcohol, filtered and aged in oak barrels for a period that can be from 6 to 12 months.
But this is not the only version of when, where and how fernet emerged. Others prefer and support the story told by one of the oldest companies in the production of this drink: Fratelli Branca attributes the invention to the pharmacist Bernardino Branca in 1836, who in 1845 created this company for the marketing of this drink.
—What is Fernet-Branca?
—It is a brand of Fernet, which is a style of amaro originating in Italy. It was initially marketed as a cure for cholera and menstrual cramps. It soon gained popularity, which led to the founding of the Fratelli Branca Distillery.
"The owner invested in extensive advertising campaigns, including creating calendars featuring artwork by famous artists in 1886. In 1907, Fratelli Branca began exporting its Fernet Branca to Argentina. Eventually, the drink became so popular there that Fratelli Branca established a distillery in 1925 in Buenos Aires.
"Fernet Branca is made according to the original recipe. The bitters are made from 27 herbs and other ingredients; its entire formula is a trade secret. Sources have reported that its recipe includes Chinese rhubarb, aloe ferox (bitter aloe), cinchona, chocolate, quinine and angelica.
"The Branca distillery states on its website that the drink contains "rhubarb from China, gentian from France, Galangal from India or Sri Lanka, (and) European chamomile from Argentina, " as well as linden (tiliae flos), iris, saffron, zedoary, myrrh and cinchona."
—Is the consumption of Fernet with Coca-Cola high in Argentina?
-In Argentina, Bolivia and Uruguay, he Fernet Branca with Coca-Cola It is a popular drink. Some statistics report that that country consumes more than 75% of all the Fernet produced worldwide.
"According to the Argentine Chamber of Liquor Distillers In 2007, 20,581,573 liters of water were produced in the country. bitters, bitter and fernet, corresponding more than 90% to Fernet. Of this production, approximately 30% was consumed in the province of Córdoba, making this province the largest consumer of this drink in the world.
"Here it is normally served with cola-flavored soda, which is almost the only way it is taken. It is extremely popular among youth and is a must at parties (preferably it can be found at dances, bars, discos)."
—What are the differences between the Fernets that are manufactured in Argentina?
—It is important to know the difference between the different Fernets that are manufactured in the country, given that the price depends on the way they are made, the lowest priced ones are made artificially or without ripening and few herbs, while the highest priced ones are products made with a greater amount of herbs and a minimum ripening period of one year (Branca, Ramazotti, Cinzano, Viterbo).
It is important to know the difference between the different fernets that are manufactured in the country, since the price depends on the way it is made. Image by Fernet Branca
"There are several companies that manufacture this drink: Branca, Vittone and Venetto by Fratelli Branca, "1882" by Porta Hnos (Córdoba), Cinzano and Lusera by Cepas de Argentina, Capri and Ramazzotti by Pernod Ricard, Pini and Imperio by Argentine Liquors, El Abuelo by Saenz Briones, Cazalis by Cinba, Baby Viterbo, among others
"In Mendoza, an artisanal Fernet is being made, produced in small quantities, with maturation for one year, which makes the difference, from the Viterbo brand. In Rosario, an artisanal Fernet is being made, a limited edition, combining the drink with artistic manifestations and collectible labels, called Gabutti."
—A recent survey was carried out with the aim of finding out the consumption habits of the product, what were the main results?
—This survey was carried out with the objective of finding out product consumption habits, specifying which brands people consume the most, the form and frequency of consumption and the reasons for their preference for certain brands, among others.
"The ages of all respondents are between 18 and 28 years old, with 85% of them being university students. The number of people surveyed was 35, with 60% of the respondents being male, and the remaining 40% female.
The majority of respondents know Fernet Branca. Approximately half of the brands available on the market are widely known by respondents, while others are known to only a few.
"The majority of respondents know Fernet Branca. Approximately half of the brands available on the market are widely known by respondents, while others are known only to a few (probably due to their lack of advertising and lower availability in the market).
"Fernet Branca is a very popular product among young people, a fact that is reflected in the high percentage of respondents who consume it regularly. Among non-consumers, the main reason is that they do not like its flavor. The information collected allows us to assume that Fernet Branca is more widely accepted among men than among women.
"In conclusion, the taste that people develop for Fernet Branca is an acquired taste that is only achieved after consuming it repeatedly, discovering in each of them the different nuances that combine to create the complex flavor of this drink."
Can buy Fernet Branca in our store