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Where is bison grass vodka made?
Poland
To those who know their vodka, zubrowka (pronounced zu-BROV-ka) is legendary. It’s a Polish vodka, said to have been made since the Middle Ages, seasoned with bison grass, or zubrowka, a plant that grows in a northern region of Poland where the now-endangered European bison graze.
Why is there grass in bison grass vodka?
It is, among others, the sacred grass of the indigenous peoples of Canada and the United States where it is used in smudging ceremonies. It’s the bison grass that gives the vodka its unique flavor. It contains coumarin, an aromatic organic chemical compound, used as a flavoring agent.
Why is Żubrówka illegal in the US?
Żubrówka has been a Polish national drink for centuries and a cult favorite internationally for decades. But in the U.S., it’s taboo because the Food and Drug Administration prohibits a potentially toxic chemical that occurs naturally in bison grass, coumarin.
Is Żubrówka legal in the US?
But since 2010, the main producer of zubrowka has made a coumarin-free version of the drink that is legally imported into the United States.
Can you buy Bison Grass Vodka in the US?
BIALYSTOK, Poland—Distillers here have the American spirit—vodka from where the buffalo roam. But this cocktail has a twist: It’s banned in the U.S. Now, after nearly a decade of work on two continents to formulate and brand a legal version of the alcohol, its producers are taking a shot at the American market.
What is bison grass vodka made from?
Pronounced “zoo-broov-ka,” the vodka itself calls on over 400 years of history and is made from rye (as are almost all Polish vodkas) and then infused with a specific grass, hierochloe odorata, which is native to the Białowieża Forest in north eastern Poland.
Is zubrowka banned in USA?
What is that Bison Grass Vodka?
But not just any vodka. Żubrówka—known to many as “that bison grass vodka”—is the only tipple of choice here and no other substitutes can be used in its place. Trust me, I’ve tried. For a start, this vodka actually has, wait for it flavor. There are also notes of lavender, vanilla and, of course, cut grass.
What is Żubrówka vodka?
Beginning April 2003, as part of its EU accession, Żubrówka—defined as vodka made with bison grass from the Białowieża Forest—can only be produced in Poland with ingredients from Poland. Żubrówka is one of the most polarizing spirits in the world; one with a fascinating history that deserves our attention.
How is vodka made from grass?
To make the vodka, first the grass is cut and laid out to dry in the open air. It is then bundled up into small bunches and the neutral spirit is forced through the bundles, absorbing the subtle flavor and color of the sweet grass.