We wrapped up our raki brewing season with an additional seventy liters from our grape harvest. Art has really mastered the art of raki. I help tend the fire but really it is his operation. After three years, we have racked up quite the collection of raki from our garden and vineyard.
Side note*I may have to invest in wood working tools for Art.*
We have made raki from our grapes post wine, mulberries, persimmons, and cornelius cherries. We have also had other family bring us raki made from plums and cherries.
Why so much booze?
Tradition.
Albanian's use raki as a gesture of hospitality. When a person walks inside an Albanian home for a visit. A small glass with raki is poured and set in front of them. Along with an assortment of other beverages followed by fruits, nuts and eventually a round of food. It's served at all major life events including weddings, births, and funerals. So do we drink it everyday, no, but we always have plenty on hand.
Is this common in homes here?
Maybe not as much or the assortment but a bottle of raki is a staple in pretty much every household.
Where can I buy it?
The local stores have it for sale but if you are outside of Albania you have to get a little more creative when on your hunt for it. Check local international wine and liquor stores or the next closest product to it is grappa, Italy's version of raki made from the grape skins. We have not applied for a license to ship our wine or raki, YET. It's on our list.
Garden Update. Quince and persimmons are ripe and ready to eat. Enjoyed both in the last few days. The garlic and onion we planted for the spring have all popped up. I picked the last two green apples today and the cabbage, lettuce greens, spinach, and leeks are still coming along nicely.
Art transplanted over twenty trees to fill in the back half of the garden. We had several plum, walnut, avocado, passion fruit, pear and pomegranate trees that were growing at random spots in the garden and vineyard. In a few years that section of the garden will be full of delicious fruits and nuts!
We're officially in the chilly evening section of fall. The second the sun goes down it's a race to get inside. Which means we have had to set limits on couch potato time. No streaming until after seven. This also means we drink hot mountain tea or pomegranate tea every night and I am smashing out a new standalone novel that is a small town mystery. Hope to have it ready for spring.
And I had a bit of busy week. I published the third book in the Ember in Time Series, Protectors of Time. Plus received my first official press as an author. Cheers to a productive week.
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