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November 16

Beverages

There are different types of alcohol. Some are used in chemistry laboratories and industry, e.g.

isopropyl (industrial process and home cleaning)and methyl alcohol.

Another type of alcohol is ethyl alcohol, also known as ethanol. This has been consumed by human beings for its intoxicating and mind-altering effects. It is a thin, clear liquid with harsh burning taste and high volatility. It is usually consumed in diluted concentrations of absolute (i.e. 100 per cent) ethyl alcohol.

Brief description of alcoholic beverages

Wines are made from a variety of fruits, such as grapes, peaches, plums or apricots. The most common wines are produced from grapes. The soil in which the grapes are grown and the weather conditions in the growing season determine the quality and taste of the grapes which in turn affects the taste and quality of wines. When ripe, the grapes are crushed and fermented in large vats to produce wine.

Beer is also made by the process of fermentation. A liquid mix, called wort, is prepared by combining yeast and malted cereal, such as corn, rye, wheat or barely. Fermentation of this liquid mix produces alcohol and carbon dioxide. The process of fermentation is stopped before it is completed to limit the alcohol content. The alcohol so produced is called beer. It contains 4 to 8 per cent of alcohol.

Whisky is made by distilling the fermented juice of cereal grains such as corn, rye or barley. Scotch whisky was originally made in Scotland. The word "Scotch" has become almost synonymous with whisky of good quality.

Rum is a distilled beverage made from fermented molasses or sugarcane juice and is aged for at least three years. Caramel is sometimes used for colouring.

Brandy is distilled from fermented fruit juices. Brandy is usually aged in oak casks. The colour of brandy comes either from the casks or from caramel that is added.

Gin is a distilled beverage. It is a combination of alcohol, water and various flavours. Gin does not improve with age, so it is not stored in wooden casks.

Beverage Source Alcohol content

(percentage)

Brandy	Fruit juices	40 - 50
Whisky	Cereal grains	40 - 55
Rum	Molasses/sugarcane	40 - 55
Wines Champagne, etc	(Port, Sherry, Grapes )	10 - 22
Beer	Cereals	4 - 8

Common local brews in the countries of the South-East Asia Region

Arrack is a distilled beverage, obtained from paddy or wheat. Jaggery, sugar or sugarcane is added to either of these two cereals and boiled with water. This is allowed to ferment, after which it is distilled. This beverage contains about 50- 60 per cent of alcohol.

Toddy is obtained from the flowers of a coconut or palm tree. A white liquid, with a sweetish taste, oozes out of these flowers. When consumed fresh, this juice has no intoxicating effect. This liquid is collected and allowed to ferment. At times, yeast is added to hasten the process. The fermented juice has an alcohol content of approximately 5-10 per cent.

Country Local brews

Bangladesh	Bangla Mad, Cholai, Tari
Bhutan	Ara
India	Arrack, Desi Sharab, Tari, Tharra
Indonesia	Palm wine
Nepal	Raksi, Tadi, Chayang, Tomb
Sri Lanka	Toddy, Arrack
Thailand	Oou, Krachae, Namtanmao, Sartha, Waark

October 15

Should You Drink Wine or Eat Grapes?

In studies conducted in 1992, it was observed that in southern France, mortality rates from heart disease were lower than expected despite the consumption of diets high in saturated fat. Researchers attributed the impressive low incidence of heart disease, 50 percent lower than in the Unites States, to the consumption of red wine. Since then, the possibility that drinking red wine might protect our heart arteries, has made the topic “wine and health” extremely popular. In fact, research has shown that taken in moderation -two 8 ounce glasses for men and 1 glass for women per day, red wine may increase HDL cholesterol, the “good” guy, decrease LDL cholesterol, the “bad” one, prevent oxidation of LDL, and scavenge free radicals.

f the polyphenols in grapes are mostly in the skins, can we just have red grapes or red grape juice, which is also made with the grape skins, and obtain the same beneficial effects as drinking red wine? Yes, we can, researchers tell us.

This study, among others, showed that red grape juice and dealcoholized red wine can significantly reduce arterial disease by lowering the level of oxidized cholesterol, preventing platelets to stick together, and enhancing the production of nitric oxide³. In another study, grape juice proved to be more effective than red wine or dealcoholized red wine in inhibiting arterial disease at the same polyphenol dose. The researchers concluded that grape juice or non-alcoholic red wine are an excellent alternative to red wine when in comes to disease of the arteries.