Franconian schnapps

Franconian Schnapps

Franconian schnapps is known far beyond the borders of our region. In addition to countless beer breweries in Upper Franconia and excellent wineries in Lower Franconia, schnapps distilleries with their diverse products contribute to Franconia's reputation as a region of pleasure. What they all have in common is that each distillery uses selected fruit for its fruit brandies, preferably from the local area. This ensures the content, taste and aroma of the spirit in the typical narrow bottle, is of the highest quality. It is always good to have one or even several bottles of good schnapps on hand - especially in a Franconian home bar. But our fruit brandies are also welcome gifts for birthdays or anniversaries.

It is always good to have one or even several bottles of good schnapps on hand - especially in a Franconian home bar. But our fruit brandies are also welcome gifts for birthdays or anniversaries.

 

Schnapps, brandy, liqueur, spirit - what is it?

There are many different names for high-proof beverages. Schnapps usually refers to spirits that have more than 15% alcohol by volume. This includes the sweet liqueurs with less alcohol content as well as brandies and spirits. The term probably comes from Low German where "schnapp" is the brisk sip in which the entire schnapps glass is emptied. And because schnapps is usually drunk from small, "short" glasses, the term "short" also came into being.

Brandies are made from fruit with a high fructose content, such as pears, apples or cherries. The fruit ferments and, with the addition of yeast, becomes mash or alcohol. Any yeast residues are removed from the mash and the whole thing is distilled. And that's where the name comes from: Brandy, a fruity spirit with a high alcohol content.

"Spirits" are made from fruits that do not have a particularly high fructose content, such as raspberries or even nuts. The process is called "maceration." Sugar is added to the fruit, and their aroma is extracted with neutral alcohol. This produces a batch that is then also distilled. The better the quality of the neutral alcohol, the higher the quality of the spirit produced during maceration.

 

Franconian schnapps from Schmidt

Distilled from fruit, primarily from Franconian Switzerland, enjoy our spirits in cherry, apple and pear and the classic Williams-Christ pear brandy flavours. Unlike schnapps, brandies are savoured slowly from small, wide-necked, long-stemmed glasses. Enjoyment with every sip - relaxed and laidback, just like Franconians.