Foreign Grocery Friday: Eucalyptus Liqueur from an Italian Abbey
When we travel, one of our favorite things to do is to pop into a local grocery store and check out the food products and candies we'd never find anywhere else. So we're trying out this new feature, Foreign Grocery Friday, where each week we'll feature some of our (and your) favorite overseas treats. Got a recommendation? Let us know!
This is a rare one we have today; indeed we never knew of its existence until we saw it with our own eyes. For the over 21 group only (or any age, if you're in Italy), we're drinking Eucalyptus Liqueur from the Benedictine Trappist Abbey of Tre Fontane, in Rome. Forget the liqueur for a moment, as the area where it's made is interesting enough on its own. Tre Fontane is so named because it is believed that this is where Saint Paul was beheaded, his head bouncing three times and sprouting three fountains, where there are now three churches.
Because the monks are Trappist, it means they must make their living off the land, so this order specializes in creating chocolate and unique liqueurs, the most notable of which is the Eucalittino, made of the Eucalyptus trees that surround the abbey.
The Taste: If you're at all aware of what Eucalyptus smells like, this liquor isn't too far off. It's very medicinal, quite bold with a cooling flavor but crisp finish. If you're unable to trek to this abbey for a small bottle of it, the closest comparison is to Frenet Branca.
Price: We paid 7.50 Euro for a little less than 4 ounces.
Where to Find It: There are only two places we know of that sell this liquor, and they are the Tre Fontane abbey in Rome and the massive basilica St. Paul's Outside the Walls (San Paulo fuori le mura), also in Rome. The latter is the easiest place to reach and access. If eucalyptus isn't your thing, the monks also make fine anisette, limoncello, grappa and—of course—chocolate bars.
[Photos: Jaunted]
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