green chartreuse

10/20/2022

One hundred percent natural, the liqueur’s green color derives from the chlorophyll of 130 plants and herbs, and the aroma has notes of mint, pepper, anise (licorice), lemon, and ginger. After dessert, my dad served several types of liqueurs, including Benedictine and Brandy (B&B), but not Grand Chartreuse, for which only two monks know the recipe.

2 Comments

Josef Ketzer

10/24/2022 10:45:58 am

Interesting paradox that these very monks whose ideal was an ascetic lifestyle invented so many hedonistic pleasures. Especially the Cartusians had a very strict order forbidding meat completely. Once Pope Paul III. ordered them to be less strict because their rules might endanger their health. And so, this is also the subject of a famous ballad by Theodor Fontane, where five octogenarians, led by Friar Hugh (90) cross the ice covered Alps by foot and ask His Holyness to cancel his order, which is done because the pontiff doesn't consider the Cartusian lifestyle "unhealthy" anymore.
This order also inspirated modern architecture (small row houses). But the chartreux cat wasn't bred by the monks, only named after them, maybe because on a painting of a cell there is a cat sitting on the floor. (Picture of architecture and monk with cat I'll send by email)
Benedictine, a sweet herbal liquor, as the name already tells, was invented in a Benedictine convent (Therefore also the motto written on the bottle: D. O. M.)
Another Benedictine, Dom Pérignon, was a great expert on wine, who did a lot to improve oenology. Once he tasted a very fine champagne, and, enjoying the sparkling beverage, he shouted enthusiastically: "Come to me, brethren, I am drinking stars!"
At last I want to mention that my mother's mother wasn't only the most fervent Catholic in her home village - but also the best cook!

Robert E. Dunn link

10/24/2022 03:47:28 pm

I love German food. There are few German restaurants in the Bay Area. The best one closed some years ago: "The Shadows" located on Telegraph Hill. The stories about the Carthusians are very interesting. Now I know who gave his name to the champagne. Fine wine and food are part of God's abundance, no? I shall remember to say grace before meals more often.

green chartreuse

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