- Angostura bitters
Angostura bitters, often simply referred to as "angostura", is a concentrated
bitters for food and beverages made of herbs and spices byHouse of Angostura in the country ofTrinidad and Tobago .The recipe was developed as a tonic by German Dr. Johann Gottlieb Benjamin Siegert, a Surgeon General in
Simon Bolivar 's army inVenezuela , who began to sell it in 1824. Siegert was based inCiudad Bolívar which was then known as Angostura, and used locally available ingredients. Perhaps he drew on the botanical knowledge of the local Amerindians, although the single ingredient named on the label is gentian.Raymond, J. [http://www.nalis.gov.tt/Biography/bio_JGB_Siegert_bitters.htm "Mysteries in Angostura Museum: Story of founder Dr. Siegert comes to life", "Trinidad Guardian"] January 10, 2000] The exact formula is a closely guarded secret, with only five people knowing the whole recipe. [cite web | title = Trinidad's House of Angostura | url = http://www.silvertorch.com/jottings/trinjots.html | accessdate = 2008-01-29]As Angostura bitters are extremely concentrated, they are not normally drunk purely, but used to flavour drinks and food; usually only a few drops or dashes are used.
Angostura bitters are a key ingredient in many
cocktails . Originally used to mask the flavour ofquinine intonic water along withgin , the mix stuck in the form of aPink Gin , and is also used in many other alcoholiccocktails such as "Long Vodka", consisting ofvodka , Angostura bitter, andlemonade , and the Manhattan, made withwhiskey and sweet (Italian)vermouth . In aPisco Sour a few drops are sprinkled on top, mostly for decorative purposes. It is also the key ingredient in aRum Cannonball . Bitters can also be used in soft drinks - a common non-alcoholic drink served in Australian pubs is lemon, lime & bitters. An approximation ofginger ale (as adrink mixer ) can be made by filling a glass, almost to the top, withlemon-lime soda , adding a splash or two ofcola , and then adding a couple dashes of Angostura bitters.Angostura bitters are renowned for having restorative properties.Fact|date=May 2008 It was reported to be a remedy for hiccups, [ ["A Bitter Medicine Cures the Hiccups", "The New York Times"] December 31, 1981] and also can be used as a cure for an upset stomach. [ [http://www.fineliving.com/fine/thirsty_traveler/article/0,1663,FINE_10176_2389104,00.html "Bitters: The World's Best Kept Secret (205)" "FineLiving.com" ] ] Across many Caribbean nations, they are regarded as a necessary addition to any household medicine cabinet. Fact|date=May 2008
Folklore claims the bitters have raised people from near-death or even flat-line states. Many Caribbean islanders and Venezuelans extol the bitters' medicinal use as a cure-all for conditions ranging from
headache s andabdominal pain todiarrhea andinfluenza .ee also
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House of Angostura References
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