Absinthe

Journey to the land of the Green Fairy Did you know that absinthe is a plant before it is a drink? That it has been wrongly accused of driving people mad, but that it has countless therapeutic properties? That the aperitif tradition owes much to the alcohol that bears its name? And that François Mitterrand, on a visit to Neuchâtel, was offered a 'fairy' soufflé at the height of Prohibition? Tania Brasseur, who has a doctorate in literature, is a member of the Swiss Culinary Heritage Committee and a project manager at Slow Food. She investigated the Jura region, the birthplace of absinthe, in the company of photographer Tamara Berger. She reveals the secrets of the plant, the aperitif that made it famous and the people who continue to keep it alive today. It's a fabulous journey that combines historical anecdotes, botanical discoveries, contemporary recipes and wonderful human encounters! The cover design, illustrations and layout of the book by Ajsa Zdravkovic bring the era of absinthe to a more modern space, embracing a less overtly feminized era of absinthe. - A journey to discover the Val-de-Travers and the Green Fairy - A wealth of encounters with absinthe producers - Botany, history, politics, production: a complete book! - Recipe ideas