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Craft & Story
History
Riga Black Balsam origins
At the end of 13th century Marco Polo brings first balsams (herbal extracts) to Europe from his China quests.
13th – 17th centuries via Hanseatic League balsams became known across the Europe and Russia owing to European merchants.
History
Who first crafted Riga Black Balsam
A pharmacist named Kunze crafted the famous Riga Black Balsam recipe in 1752. First balsam (herbal extract) recipes in Riga were found from 16th century, however pharmacists’ records do not keep the exact date.
Riga pharmacist Kunze was accused in press of “borrowing his recipe” from the records above in 1737. In 1752 Kunze produced his famous drink already at industrial volumes.
History
World success and recognition
Since 1845, the major producer is Albert Wolfschmidt
1860 – the first Grand Prix:
- Silver medal at St. Petersburg fair
- The product was introduced as «The Real Kunze’s Riga Herbal Balsam»
- After the Grand Prix people named it short – just «Riga Black Balsam»
- Since then already more than 100 medals awarded including several World Expo Grand Prix
History
The lost recipe
According to the tradition only the Head Liquor Master and his two apprentices know the secret recipe. The recipe was utterly lost in 1939 when German population left Latvia before Soviet occupation.
After the WWII in 5 years the recipe was carefully restored from shreds by joint effort of former employees. Since then the recipe is unchangeable.
Craftsmanship
Ingredients
Riga Black Balsam made from 24 all natural ingredients, including 17 botanicals. The ingredients that contribute to the complex and versatile flavour of Riga Black Balsam include common roots and herbs such as Valerian, Wormwood, Black Pepper, and Ginger, as well as rare ingredients such as Gentian and Peruvian Balsamic Oil.
Craftsmanship
Packaging,
25th secret component
The final ingredient in the Riga Black Balsam formula is the bottle itself. Once the herbal infusion has matured and the rest of ingredients has been added, the resulting black liquid passion is bottled in the same type of clay bottle historically used for this purpose.
Clay is a natural material and for the first six months after bottling the flavour of Black Balsam continues to develop as the ingredients interact with the bottle.
Craftsmanship
Crafting process
In crafting process we are using our unique single-barrel infusion technology. Botanicals are infused in spirit-water mix to drive so called «Riga Black Balsam essence».
After that the essence is blended with the rest of ingredients, such as honey, caramel, natural juices and bottled in natural clay bottle that retains the original unique appeal and preserves the qualities of the drink.