Rum is a distilled alcoholic beverage made primarily from sugarcane byproducts, such as molasses, or directly from sugarcane juice. It is widely enjoyed around the world and has a rich history, particularly in the Caribbean and Latin America. Here’s a brief overview of its key aspects:

Origin

Rum production dates back to the 17th century in the Caribbean. It became a popular drink among pirates and sailors, partly because it was more stable than beer or water during long sea voyages.

Production Process

1. Fermentation: Sugarcane byproducts like molasses are mixed with water and yeast. The yeast ferments the sugars into alcohol.
2. Distillation: The fermented liquid is then distilled, either in pot stills or column stills, which increases its alcohol content and removes impurities.
3. Aging: Most rums are aged in oak barrels. The aging process can vary from a few years to several decades, which influences the flavor, color, and smoothness of the rum.
4. Blending: After aging, different batches of rum may be blended to achieve a consistent flavor profile.

Types of Rum

Rum comes in various types, each with its own characteristics:

• White Rum: Also known as light or silver rum, this type is usually aged very briefly and has a lighter, subtler flavor.
• Gold Rum: Aged longer than white rum, gold rum has a richer flavor and a golden color.
• Dark Rum: Aged in charred barrels, dark rum has a much stronger flavor and a darker color. It’s often used in cooking and baking.
• Spiced Rum: Flavored with spices or caramel, spiced rum is popular in mixed drinks.
• Overproof Rum: Much stronger than standard rums, overproof rum has a much higher alcohol content and is often used in cocktails for its potent flavor.

Uses

Rum is versatile in its uses:

• Drinking: It can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or as a base in cocktails like the Mojito, Pina Colada, and Daiquiri.
• Cooking: Particularly dark rum, which is used to flavor cakes, desserts, and sauces.
• Cultural Significance: In many cultures, rum has ceremonial uses and is a staple at social events and celebrations.

Rum not only offers a diverse range of flavors and styles but also carries a cultural significance, making it a fascinating spirit both to study and to enjoy.

Easiest to Make.  Sugar as the main ingredient. 

SUGAR CANE

Rum is for Pirates, Poets, and Adventurers.

Rum does not involve fermenting grains.  It is a sweeter spirit.  Its origins are in the Caribbean.

Rum is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from sugarcane byproducts, such as molasses, or directly from sugarcane juice, by a process of fermentation and distillation. The distillate, a clear liquid, is then usually aged in oak barrels

Its name is derives from a British slang meaning “the best.”  Example: I had a rum of a time.  Another explanation for the name is that it came from the Latin word Romani which means “strong.”

Marco Polo recorded a 14th-century account of a “very good wine of sugar” that was offered to him in the area that today has become modern-day Iran.

The majority of the world’s production of Rum occurs in the Caribbean and in Latin America.  It is made from sugar cane or molasses which is a byproduct of the sugar cane refining process.

Light rums are used in cocktails, while  “golden” and “dark” rums are typically consumed straight or neat, on the rocks.  Rum has famous association with the Royal Navy (where it was mixed with water or beer to make grog) and with piracy (where it was consumed as bumbo).

It was a major factor in causing the American Revolution. 

Britain first imposed the Molasses Act of 1733, which had imposed a tax of six pence per gallon of molasses.  That tax had never been effectively collected due to the evasion by the colonist.  So there was introduced a new act, the Sugar Act.  This tax was implemented by reducing the rate by half and increasing measures to enforce the tax, to all sugar,  The British hoped that the tax would actually be collected.  This was one of the major factors in the fermenting of the American Revolution.

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In early Colonial New England the manufacture of rum became largest and most prosperous industry.   Rhode Island rum even joined gold as an accepted currency in trade in Europe for a period of time.  Before the American Revolutionary War the American colonies had every man, woman, or child drinking an average of 3 imperial gallons (14 ltr) of rum each year. 

It’s popularity is evidenced by George Washington insisting on a barrel of Barbados Rum at his 1789 inauguration.

Rum facilitated slavery.  Rum was used to purchase salves.  For example, the slave Venture Smith, whose history was later published, had been purchased in Africa for four gallons of Rum plus a piece of Calico.

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Making Rum

Rum is generally made from a molasses syrup.  It needs no enzyme to break down any starch since it is already in a sugar state that the yeast will convert to alcohol.  Distilled rum is clear and gets it’s color and flavor from aging in oak barrels.

• Daiquiri: You may think of the fruity, frozen blended treat when you picture a daiquiri, but the classic drink uses a mix of rum, lime juice and simple syrup.
• Mojito: Muddle mint with sugar, lime, rum and soda water to make this refreshing drink. Some recipes use powdered sugar, but whichever you choose, be sure to muddle it with the mint and lime juice.
• Piña colada: For a fresh and fruity summertime drink, mix pineapple juice and coconut cream with light rum. Blend with ice to create an even more refreshing frozen beverage.
• Dark and stormy: Dark rum and ginger beer create this simple, yet delicious, cocktail. Add bitters or garnish with an optional lime wedge. More straightforward versions only use dark rum and ginger beer, but no matter what, you will end up with a warmer, but still refreshing, take on the typical fruity rum cocktails.
• Hurricane: A complex beverage like the hurricane shows off the versatility of rum. Passion fruit, orange and lime juices blend with simple syrup, grenadine, light and dark rums to create the tropical drink.

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