Today I would like to tell you all about the Medronho tree, which is a small fruit tree full of berries from which Aguardente de Medronho, or fruit brandy is made. It is better known as The Strawberry Tree "Arbutus unedo". Medronho is a strong spirit, and a traditional fruit brandy from Portugal. They grow wild on the property, and the locals like to start their day with a shot, and it is commonly drank alongside a "bica" a shot of coffee after lunch or dinner.
They don't look like strawberries at all.
As I said, Medronho can be used to make Aguardente (firewater). "Água ardente" literally means "burning water" in Portuguese, which is exactly what it does, with its high alcohol percentage which is around (50%) it is very strong and tends to burn your throat as it goes down. It is the local brandy of Algarve but is also drank in the north. My farm workers will drink this in the morning to start their day, on cold winter mornings when it helps to warm the body and if the sweet brandy is mixed with honey, it is said it helps to cure colds and flu, even to ward off other infections. For centuries the art of distilling has been passed on from father to son and is considered as a natural heritage of old cultural wisdom that is kept alive, usually in the country. Hospitality is synonymous with this very popular drink and you may well be offered a little glass of Medronho if you are in a cafe or restaurant so take a shot of Medronho when in Portugal and enjoy.
You can also try the Medronho fruit itself which is high in antioxidants, or the jams and preserves. As a matter of interest, it takes 7-10 kilos of berries to make one litre of brandy.
26 comments:
Dear Sonjia :)
I have never heard about this Medronho before. The fruits looks very nice, and I'm sure the "fire water" tastes very good!
If I'm very cold or maybe I get a flu, I drink a small glass of French cognac. It's named after a Norwegian who produces it in France. It's called Braastad. I imagine it helps me every time ;)
Best wishes from Marit
Now that's how to start the day! The high alcohol content would certainly limit any sane individual to one shot! Medronho is new to me but there are a couple of local shops where I might be able to buy the preserve. i am going to check. Interesting post, Sonjia. Thank you. Hugs - David
Beautiful blog
Wow, that is an interesting way to start your day. It would knock me out, I would be useless for the rest of the day, lol. Neat tree and fruit, it is new to me. Take care, enjoy your day!
I never known this kind of fruit...
Thank you for sharing details
Son lindos los madroños, por aquí hay muchos, y con ellos hacen aguardiente. Un abrazo.
How interesting. I am familiar with the Strawberry Tree, as it is the food plant of the caterpillar of the Two-tailed Pasha butterfly. I had never heard of making brandy from the fruit, though. I will have to look out for that if we visit Portugal in the future!
Do you get the Two-tailed Pasha there?
Sounds wonderful, can I come and work on the farm. Only kidding Sonjia. Take care,
Mike.
It looks like dragon eye fruit when I was young in Asia. Lovely colour too
Interesting. I am not familiar with this tree at all.
Very interesting. I have never heard or seen this plant or berries. What a great way to start off a new day. A wonderful drink to warm the body when the weather is cold.
I am not familiar with this type of fruit at all.
I don't think this is growing in the Netherlands.
You did take some nice pictures.
Greetings Irma
I thought that I was aware of most of the European 'fire waters' Sonjia, but I've never tried, or even heard of, Aguardente de Medronho! I see that it is possible to buy this in UK from a specialist supplier, so I might try some!
I understand that Medronho is known as Arbutus in UK. You may have heard the song "My love's an Arbutus"?
Thank you for bringing this to my attention with this interesting and beautifully illustrated post.
Best wishes - - - - Richard
That is really interesting!
Gracias por tan interesante entrada y por lo mucho que nos enseñas.
He visto muchas veces este árbol frutal, pero, jamás me imaginé ni supe que de su fruto salía el clásico aguardiente del que me encanta su olor, pero 50º son muchos grados para mi, por eso mismo solamente una vez probé un pequeño sorbito, y reconozco que su sabor es muy bueno...pero lo dejo para otros.
Por aquí también es típico sobre todo en invierno el tomar una copita antes de empezar las faenas del trabajo, sobre todo los agricultores.
Un cordial saludo.
Many thanks for this interesting post about the Medronho tree.
Enjoy the weekend.
All the best Jan
This is very interesting, I have never heard of the Medronho tree before. Thank you for sharing all about it and wishing you a happy weekend.
I think I need to get to Portugal and taste this elixir. Perhaps before bed rather than the morning when I might be driving? Thanks Sonjia for bringing this secret to our attention. Can I buy this in the UK. I suspect not, it's obviously a little tot to keep to yourself. Enjoy your week and sleep well.
...I've heard of this, but have never seen it.
Wonderfully informative post and photos ~ about the delightful source of strawberry brandy ~ Xo
Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
I have had it while on the Algarve and it nearly finished me off.What a powerful shot. Have you had it? dronk
This was fascinating Sonjia! I honestly think a plant like that grows wild in the part of Florida where our winter home is. Are the reddish berries kind of fuzzy? (Everything grows there in that climate, or at least it used to before the hurricane they just had). Fifty percent alcohol -- that is strong liquor -- I bet it does warm your workers up!! (It would probably kill us -- not being used to it.)
Beautiful preserve, I love it Sonjia.
Ein Interessanter Beitrag über die Medronho-Frucht soll es auch bei uns geben
werde mal darauf achten.
Gruß
Noke
Hi Sallie, I'm quite sure the "Arbutus unedo" grows wild in Florida, and yes, the berries are kind of fuzzy.:=)
The tree of Madrid... The bear and Medronho is the symbol of the city... Regards
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