Hippocrates and Early Vermouth
One of the things that first inspired me to create vermouth was Hippocrates. Growing up as a second-generation Greek/Australian, my grandparents spoke fondly of their time on Kos, Greece where they grew up before they migrated to Australia. A Greek island that’s relatively green with beautiful waters and famous for the ancient Greek doctor and father of medicine, Hippocrates. An island that’s been occupied by pretty much every empire of its day and is probably best known now for all-inclusive package holidays and sunseekers. It’s close proximity to Turkey, means that it was once part of the Ottaman Empire (like most of Greece), and it’s obvious when one sees the spices, colour and minorets in the main “Agora” marketplace in Kos Town.
As I started to explore and connect with my Greek heritage about 15 years ago, I stumbled across Hippocratic Wine in history books. As a wine industry professional, I was totally intrigued. I had romantic visions of a smoking ancient Greek potion with magical healing properties served from a golden chalice – like the cup of life.
However, what I did discover, is that it was actually an early form of vermouth. Not the vermouth that mixologist serve up in fancy glasses with a bit of Campari and gin, but a medicinal wine. Hippocrates created Hippocratic Wine to help cure people’s ailments. Wine was infused with spices, botanicals and herbs. It is believed that people from across the ancient world would visit Hippocrates at the Asklepion on the Island of Kos, to help cure them of their ailments. This beverage was also later known in medieval times as Hippocras and used for medicinal purposes and later for enjoyment.
Vermouth by EU definition is “Fortified, aromatised wine that must contain wormwood.”
Why wormwood? Does it have medicinal properties? Did Hippocrates tap into the health benefits of wormwood? Did other cultures use wormwood? Absolutely! Wormwood is also known as St John’s Wort, Mugwort, Artemisia Absinthium, Wormod, Wermut, Vermu have evolved into what we know as Vermouth. Hippocrates is known to have used wormwood in his concoctions for any gastrointestinal issue. According to many non-western medical journals, it is believed that Wormwood is also great for increased appetite, stomach pains, fever, osteoarthritis, an aphrodisiac, period pain, parasites such as worms, etc. Chinese doctors have used wormwood for centuries. However, all this is rather anecdotal. Nevertheless, there’s something about wormwood and why it’s become what I think is the ideal bitter component and ingredient in a perfect aperitif/aperitivo such as vermouth.
Please follow our journal as we find new and interesting ingredients from around the globe to AWAKEN YOUR SENSES!
Arthur