Ciane - Gentian liquor

Mountain pastures in the French Jura in summer are almost covered with the herbaceous, yellow-flowered gentian. These plants loves the barren limestone, in which they grow slowly but steadily. Although gentian flowers until the age of 10 for the first time, the up to 1.5 m tall growing plants can get up to 60 years of age. The interesting parts of the plant are underground: The root is because of their bitter substances often used as appetizing and stimulating digestive tonic, but also against fatigue, fever, gout and malaria, gentian seems to be a suitable means.

Actually, there is Gentian liquor since the end of the 19th century, when it was made in Switzerland by Hans Kappeler and in France by Fernand MOURAUX. In Pontarlier George Guy came only in the 1950s with the idea of producing a drink from Jurassic gentian, as it is known for his intense aroma and pronounced bitterness. It took a while, but especially in the 70s, the aperitif was very popular and was marketed under the name "Aperitif a la Gentiane".

Two generations and 20 years later Francois Guy revived the drink, supported by his father. It was not long until the typical regional Bitter had found his admirers. The bitter liqueur is mainly served before a meal to stimulate the appetite a little, but there also exists a producer, distilling an eau de vie distilled from gentian - helps to bring the stomach back into shape.