#53 - Limestone and Bourbon

Best of Kentucky Bourbon Print by designedbydallas on Etsy, $40

Whether you drink bourbon (or alcohol at all, for that matter), check this out... It's an interesting little fact of Kentucky culture. :)

Yesterday during our zipline tour in Louisville (I'll be blogging about that also), our guide told us about the importance of limestone in the bourbon industry.

95% of the world's bourbon is made in Kentucky!

Kentucky Bourbon Art Print by MCRomagueraArt, $39

Why is Kentucky the home of bourbon?

In one word, limestone!

One of the things I noticed when I moved to Kentucky was the build up of this white mineral deposit on the filter of my aquarium and in my fountain. I later learned it was calcium deposits because the water here in much of Kentucky runs through limestone which filters out a lot of minerals (such as iron) and adds calcium and magnesium. Water low in iron and high in calcium and calcium is good for the fermentation process of alcohol and for the flavor of whiskey.

Bourbon is a type of whiskey. Not all whiskey is bourbon. In order for whiskey to be called bourbon:

1) It must be made in the United States.

2) It must be made from a grain recipe which is at least 51%  but no more than 79% corn.

3) The whiskey must be aged for at least 2 years in new oak barrels that are charred inside. Most bourbon is aged 4 years or longer.

4) It must be distilled to no more than 160 proof.

5) Nothing can be added to enhance color, sweetness, or flavor.





Another random, yet related fact:

Bourbon Soap/Lotion Dispense by EstepWoodWorkandSuch on Etsy, $10

This past month, Maker's Mark announced their plans to cut the alcohol content of their bourbon from 45% to 42%. It takes a long time to age bourbon and Maker's Mark was hoping to increase their supply of bourbon by decreasing the alcohol content slightly. Let's just say that didn't go over so well. Last week, due to the backlash from customers, Maker's Mark announced they won't be watering down their bourbon after all. You can read more about it here.

#6 - Four Leaf Clovers

According to Irish tradition, each leaf of a clover has a meaning.  The first is faith, the second is hope, the third is love and the fourth is luck. Only about 1 in 10,000 clovers have four leaves. So it's thought that finding one with four leaves (especially by accident) makes one lucky. It's unknown whether the fourth leaf is a genetically or environmentally caused mutation.

Irish tradition also says clover leaves represent the Holy Trinity. The first leaf being the Father, the second the Son, and the third the Holy Ghost. The fourth leaf is said to be God's Grace.


Need some luck? Check out these cool handmade four leaf clover items!!

By Green Ribbon Gems on Etsy

By DDivyne on Etsy

Clovers can have more than four leaves, of course. One with 56 leaves was found in Japan!! Many people believe finding a four leaf clover is lucky while finding a clover with more than four leaves is unlucky. Others believe the more leaves...the more luck.

Really lukcy OR unlucky?!

56 leaf clover from Japan (source: National Geographic)

#1 - New Year's Traditions Around the World

***My posts are illustrated with handmade products created by fellow Etsians. Just click on any photo to go to the shop listing for that particular product. :)first topic to  learn about this year.

 Since this blog is starting as part of a New Year's resolution, I've chosen New Year's traditions as my first topic to  learn about this year.


When I think of New Year's, I think of the ball dropping in NYC.  Turns out watching the ball drop is the the most common New Year's celebration tradition in the US. However, learning about this tradition wouldn't be something new for me. So, I choose to learn about other traditions in the US and other countries.

United States

In the southern US, black-eyed peas and ham hocks are served as a New Year's meal. Eating black eyed peas on New Year's is thought to bring luck to an individual for that year.

 Denmark

The Danes have a unique tradition. They save their broken pottery throughout the year and throw it at friends' houses to bring in the New Year.

Scotland

One Scottish tradition is called first footing in which the Scots try to be the first person to visit the homes of friends and relatives at midnight on New Year's Eve. Those receiving guests hope that the first person who enters their home for New Year's is a male with dark hair. Blond, fair skinned individuals are sometimes considered unlucky because they are associated with the Vikings.

Mexico

To celebrate New Year's Day in Mexico, women often wear yellow underwear in hopes of financial prosperity or red underwear in hopes of finding love. 



How do you celebrate New Years? Do you have any family traditions to bring in the new year?



  ***My posts are illustrated with handmade or vintage products from fellow Etsians. Just click on any photo to go to the shop listing for that particular product. :)