Absinthe Festival, Boveresse (NE)

2 Comments on “Absinthe Festival, Boveresse (NE)”

1. #1 Curious1
   on Jun 14th, 2009 at 9:14 pm

   I understand that there is lot of controversy surrounding Dr. Ordinaire. Is there any actual evidence that he ever existed? The only historical record that I know of is a tall story about Dr Ordinaire (and his horse) in the Pernod archives. Of course Dr Ordinaire was supposed to be French by birth….the Henriod sisters were Swiss.

   Hello, Thanks for your comment. I am not aware of the controversy. Do a Google using Pierre Ordinaire as search words and you will see that Wikipedia, specialized absinthe sites and many more ascribe the invention of absinthe to him, a French doctor living in Couvet, Neuchatel. The year on the other hand does vary, but 1792 is often cited. And, yes, after his death the wormwood-based recipe was in the hands of the Swiss Henriod sisters. The first commercially made absinthe was produced by H.L. Pernod in 1797. Gail Mangold-Vine, Swisster Food Guide moderator.

2. #2 Curious1
   on Jun 15th, 2009 at 10:10 am

   Thank you for your reply. I am afraid there is no historical proof that he ever existed. I also believe that the Mother Henriod was producing her Extrait d’ Absinthe BEFORE this date.

   In any case the Henriod family did not invent this medicinal elixir I think:

   Spiritus et Aqua Absynthii:

   College : Take of common and Roman Wormwood, of each a pound; Sage, Mints, Bawm, of each two handfuls; the Roots of Galanga, Ginger, Calamus, Aromaticus, Elecampane, of each three drachms; Liquorice, an ounce, Raisins of the Sun stoned, three ounces, Annis seeds, and sweet Fennel seeds, of each three drachms; Cinnamon, Cloves, Nutmegs, of each two drachms; Cardamoms, Cubebs, of each one drachm: let the things be cut that are to be cut, and the things be bruised that are to be bruised, all of them infused in twenty four pints of Spanish wine, for twenty four hours, then, distilled in an Alembick, adding two ounces of white sugar to every pint of distilled water. (1757)

   You will see that this recipe from Culpepper includes Atermisia absinthium, fennel and anise - these are the ingredients used by modern manufacturers to define absinthe (French for Wormwood) The Henriod production is just a variation. (Note: I have resaerched the term “common wormwood” used by Culpepper and he menas Atermisia absinthium - this is clear).

   Hello again, The commonly accepted, present-day version of events is the one I mentioned in my first reply, even if there are plenty of question marks as to who did exactly what when, such as - as you are right to point out - were the Henriods making absinthe from wormwood in their garden before Dr. Ordinaire invented his medicinal brew.

   If you read Phil Baker’s history of absinthe it’s clear - again as you state - that wormwood-based concotions predate whatever was happening in Couvet, Switzerland at the end of the 18th century. I’ve seen references tracing absinthe-like concoctions back to the Egptians and I leave every door of possibility open that if somebody gets on the case hard enough they’ll be able to find still earlier traces. However, again, the traditional ascription is to Dr. Ordinaire.

   You are right by the way to point out that absinthe is not one recipe, but that there are many different wormwood-based recipes for it, I know one Swiss producer who has collected over one hundred.

   However, I also need to point out that for the purposes of a simple Events Calendar listing, my rendition is entirely sufficient. This is not the place for erudite discussions of the matter, all the more so because I am not an absinthe specialist. I do know that there is a historian of absinthe in Switzerland, I saw reference to him once in a publication of the Swiss National Museum’s Swiss-French branch at Chateau de Prangins (www.landesmuseen.ch) and I suggest that you contact them for his name.

   Good luck in your research, you should publish a book and set us all straight.

Leave a Comment

Name (required)

Email (required) (will not be published)

Website (optional)

Security Code: