Day of vodka: birthday of Russian vodka

Virtually every country consumes alcohol. Somewhere more, somewhere less, but the essence does not change - they drink everything and everywhere. Since ancient times mankind has learned to make various hot drinks, for example, wine, about which there are many myths of ancient times. But the mass character of drinking began after Mendeleyev's doctoral dissertation "Mixing alcohol with water", which took place on January 31, 1865. It is this date that is commonly called "Vodka Day".

The purpose of Mendeleev's work

The goal of the work of the Russian scientist was to study the solutions of alcohol and water, their dependence on changes in concentration and temperature. Dmitry Ivanovich was engaged exclusively in studying alcohol solutions and did not say a word about their effect on the body. Therefore, it is too crude to think that Mendeleev is the inventor of vodka, because the birthday of vodka happened much earlier, around the 10th century AD. And who invented vodka and how it happened, will be told further.

History of alcohol

Long before the invention of vodka, people learned about the intoxicating properties of some drinks made from honey, grapes and some juices. Wine-making arose before the beginning of agriculture, when about the Day of Vodka, as, actually, about the drink itself, not a single person on earth heard. The great traveler Miklouho-Maclay saw the Papuans, who did not know how to obtain fire, but already knew the art of making alcohol.

Alcohol was received by the Arabs in the 6th century AD and gave it the name of "intoxicating", or, in their native language, "al-koal". The wine was distilled to obtain alcohol. Some historians suggest that this was the reason for the prohibition of alcohol in Islamic countries. The story is almost the same as the birthday of Russian vodka, which Peter I tried to ban and even introduced a tax for drunkenness, which consisted of wearing a toe on the neck of a drunkard of a huge medal weighing 8 kilograms.

Middle Ages and Alcohol

In the Middle Ages, they also knew how to get liquor by fermenting sugary liquids. The discoverer in this field was the alchemist Valentius, who tried the product, got drunk on him and declared that this elixir is magical and can make the old man young again.

After this incident, alcohol spread all over the world. It began to be produced from potatoes, waste products of sugar production and other cheap products. Alcohol very quickly gained popularity, and soon no creative person could do without it.

History of vodka

Looking under the covers of history, you can dig out the name of the Persian doctor Ar-Razi, who conducted experiments with alcohol solutions and received pure alcohol, which can not yet be called vodka, but this discovery was the starting point of the invention of a popular drink. This opinion is the most truthful because of the main component of vodka and alcohol - ethanol.

An interesting fact is that alcohol was first used in medicine and cosmetology, and it became a "drink for fun" later, and this date is known only approximately.

Vodka got to Russia a long time ago, but when exactly it is not known for certain. Some historians say that in the 16th century, others that much earlier. There is an opinion that Rus consumed this drink in the 12th century.

The fortress of vodka was never an important element. Traditionally, grades of 38, 45 and 56 degrees are produced. To date, there are also stronger varieties, the use of which on the birthday of vodka on January 31 is just as expedient as to celebrate the New Year and give each other gifts.

Preparation of vodka

For the production of traditional Russian vodka, ethyl alcohol is used, obtained from wheat and potatoes with the addition of plant raw materials. There are also various types of beverage containing vitamins and various synthetic substances. The difference between these products is that it is easily drunk and gently perceived by the body.

Another ingredient is water, which is extracted exclusively from springs. The main requirement for the water used: it should not contain any impurities. This is required to maintain the purity of the experiment, the beginning of which was laid on the birthday of vodka.

The mass production of vodka began in the 15th century, and within 100 years Russia began exporting its products to Sweden. The production of the baking beverage became more perfect, and as the technology developed, the taste of the product increased.

Today vodka is an unofficial national symbol of Russia. The day of vodka is celebrated widely and everywhere. Until the 20th century, this drink was the basis for most of the infusions made at home.

Pros and cons of using vodka

The use of alcoholic drinks finds its admirers in all countries of the world. Many people celebrate Vodka Day, although practically everyone knows about the harm that alcohol does to the body.

Alcoholism, destruction of brain cells, damage to the liver, central nervous system and kidneys. But this does not stop anyone because of the feeling of lightness that alcohol gives. In addition, many people are aware of the beneficial properties of this drink.

At low doses, the use of vodka is useful. After all, only 50 grams of vodka every day will make your stomach work properly. Blood circulation normalizes, vodka relieves spasms and kills any bacteria.

This drink since ancient times was used as a means of traditional medicine, for it is not by chance that on January 31, Vodka Day, Mendeleev defended his dissertation on the properties of alcohol. Cough, sore throat, diarrhea and skin problems will go away forever with the proper use of vodka.

Remember the pros and cons of the drink before you taste it. Everything is useful in moderation!