Each night, we kindle the fire, simmer the still,
and grind only the finest aromatics by hand,
with marble mortar and pestle:
star anise, cardamom and fennel seeds,
mastíkha resin tears…
Each night, ⋮ tears.
Tásso Trikené, taken from a handwritten recipe for OUZO Trikené,
found inside his old wooden desk and dating back to 1932
Το βράδυ τσούζουμε τη φωτιά.
Σπάζουμε στη γκραφιά,
στο γουδοχέρι σα να λέμε,
σπόρια από εκλεκτό αστεροειδή,
κάρδαμο, μάραθο, μαστίχι…
Translated for (and taken from) the Distillery Trikené website.
The copper still simmers through the night and the sparkling spirit slowly distills, drop by precious drop.
By morning, the Sacred City of Messolónghi is fragrant with the sweet smell of aniseed.
see also
Miss! Pride and ⋮ bows.
