Curaçao

The crystal-clear turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea stretch along the shores of Curaçao Island. This island is not only blessed with beautiful beaches and stunning landscapes but is also the birthplace of the renowned sweet liqueur, Curaçao. This vibrant and distinct spirit is the subject of our exploration today at Rimping Supermarket.

Origins on Curaçao Island : A Legacy of the Laraha Orange

The story of the sweet liqueur Curaçao begins on the island of Curaçao in the Caribbean, located approximately 96 kilometers off the coast of Venezuela. This island is famous for its beautiful beaches and diverse culture. Around 1499, the Spanish settled on the island and brought with them the Laraha orange, a crucial ingredient for making Curaçao liqueur.

The Laraha orange originated in Valencia, Spain. While this orange variety is sweet and fragrant when grown in Valencia, it developed a bitter taste when cultivated on Curaçao Island due to the island's arid climate and abundant sunshine. However, this unexpected change in flavor proved to be enormously beneficial for the production of Curaçao liqueur, as the bitter peels imparted a unique aroma and taste.

The Senior Family's Discovery : The Birth of Curaçao Liqueur

The creation of Curaçao liqueur took place in the 19th century by the Senior family, Jewish residents of Curaçao Island. They observed the unique properties of the Laraha orange peels. While preparing other ingredients, they noticed that the Laraha orange peels began to dry and exude aromatic oils. They experimented by soaking these peels in a still with alcohol and water for several days. After removing the peels, they added local herbs and spices. The resulting liqueur was fragrant, sweet, and well-balanced, possessing a distinctive character. They named this liqueur Curaçao, after the island where it was born.

Following the discovery of Curaçao liqueur, the Senior family established Senior & Co. in 1896 on Curaçao Island, specifically to market this unique spirit. The success of this company not only boosted liqueur sales but also provided income for local orange farmers.

Distinctive Colors : The Genesis of Blue Curaçao

Initially, Curaçao liqueur remained clear, much like any other distilled spirit. However, to distinguish Curaçao from other liqueurs, producers began to add natural food coloring to create an appealing visual identity. The first color developed was Blue Curaçao, a vibrant blue liqueur reminiscent of the unique Caribbean Sea surrounding Curaçao Island, unmistakably evoking its origin.

As trade routes expanded, Blue Curaçao became increasingly well-known, becoming a popular ingredient in various cocktails that desired a striking visual appeal, such as the Blue Hawaiian, Blue Margarita, Electric Blue Lagoon, and Electric Lemonade. This made Blue Curaçao widely recognized among mixologists and cocktail enthusiasts.

Curaçao Today : Diversity and Varieties

Currently, Curaçao is popular in many countries and continues to evolve. While the classic blue color remains a favorite, distilleries also experiment with other colors to offer a broader range of options, including white, green, and orange.

Notable Types of Curaçao

• White Curaçao: This is the classic, clear version, similar to other distilled spirits. It is generally preferred for sipping neat rather than mixing into cocktails, partly due to its lack of color.
• Blue Curaçao: This is the most popular type, used as an ingredient in over 300 cocktails. Its striking color makes it the most recognized variant.
• Orange Curaçao: This type is second in popularity only to Blue Curaçao and is commonly used in approximately 41-50 different cocktail recipes, such as Marlene Dietrich and Cable Car.
• Green Curaçao: This variety is popularly used in the Canadian Zombie, a cocktail belonging to the potent Zombie family of drinks.
  
  In addition to these types, there is also a variant called Dry Orange Curaçao. This version is aged longer than regular Orange Curaçao and has a higher alcohol content, increasing by 5% to 35% ABV, compared to the typical 30% ABV of standard Curaçao. Dry Orange Curaçao is often used as an ingredient in the Cara Sposa cocktail.