Cultured Palate: International Dishes from Switzerland

Jordana Weiss | June 20, 2018

Absinthe

One of the world’s most misunderstood beverages is absinthe, which was first invented in the Swiss canton of Neuchâtel in the late 18^th century. Absinthe is a spirit flavored with anise and a variety of other herbs, including wormwood. It has a long history of being enjoyed by poets, philosophers, and artists all across Europe, although its psychoactive and hallucinogenic effects are now considered to have been grossly exaggerated.

Absinthe was banned from Switzerland in 1908 following a series of high-profile murders that were apparently caused by the murderer drinking absinthe — a rumor which has since been debunked. Now, absinthe is seeing a resurgence in popularity, and has sparked a whole new industry spearheaded by small craft absinthe distillers.

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