Țuică is a traditional Romanian spirit that contains ~ 24–65% alcohol by volume, prepared only from plums. Other spirits that are produced from other fruit or from a cereal grain are called "rachiu" or "rachie". Țuică is also the foundational element for creating the traditional romanian cognac from different spirited fruits coffee flavored.
Preparation
Traditionally, țuică is prepared from early October until early December. The process must generally be finished before Christmas, so as not to leave unfinished business for the next year. The plums must be left for fermentation for 6–8 weeks, in large barrels. According to both tradition and Romanian standards, distillation must be done in a copperstill, using a traditional fire source. The temperature is controlled traditionally by interpreting the sounds that the still makes and by tasting the brew at different points in the process. Usually, this process results in two grades of țuică:
normal: distilled once, the last to come from the still; between 24–40% alcohol.
very strong: distilled twice, generally a quarter of the production, and the first to come out of the still; about 50–65% alcohol by volume, stronger than palinka; called pălincă de prune, fățată, întoarsă, or horincă depending on the region; the most famous țuică served before a meal; in rural regions, it is customary to serve this drink to a guest.
Țuică is prepared using traditional methods both for private consumption and for sale. Although this was illegal in the past, the government tolerated the practice due to the traditional character of the beverage. Some communities have acquired production licences and produce it legally. The generic term "țuică" comprises plum brandies. A specific nomenclature was created for țuică, comprising varieties such as old, selected, superior, etc. A commercial famous presentation is "țuică cu fruct". This is a glass bottle of țuică containing a whole plum fruit. It is obtained by hanging empty bottles on trees in spring or early summer and growing the fruit inside the bottle.
Consumption
Normally, țuica is only consumed before the meal. In most cases, only a shot-sized amount is served, and it is generally sipped. The drink is also present in all traditional parties such as weddings, baptisms, hunting parties, harvest festivals, religious holidays, family reunions, and wakes. In most of rural Romania, țuică is the usual drink to hold a toast with, rather than wine. Usually it is drunk before a meal, as it increases appetite. A modern portrayal of a modern village inhabitant almost always includes a bottle of țuică. For rural families producing țuică for their own consumption the output can amount between ~ 10 - 200 litres per family per year, as the plum tree is the most widely present tree in Romanian orchards. Țuică is sometimes used as part of a small remuneration package for small work or "daily work". Romania is the largest plum producer in the European Union and among the top plum producers in the world. According to the Romanian Ministry of Agriculture, around 65,000 hectares are cultivated with plum trees, and 80% of production is transformed into țuică.
