Ratzeputz
Encyclopedia
Ratzeputz is a schnaps, a type of spirit
popular in Germany, which contains extracts and distillates of root ginger
. The fresh ginger it contains is said to be beneficial to the stomach.
Ratzeputz today (2006) only contains 58 % alcohol
; whereas higher proportions of alcohol used to be common. The ingredients, which are found by most consumers to be sharp, are intended to leave a long aftertaste in the mouth and throat.
Ratzeputz was first created in 1877 by Peter Weidmann, a distiller in Celle
. In that town, the Lüneburg Heath
region and its surrounding area, Ratzeputz is a well-known, high-alcohol spirit
-based speciality. Its strong but delicate ginger flavour has helped it gain considerable international attention as well. Originally bottled by C.W. Baland & Langebartels in Celle
, it is now made under licence by Schwarze and Schlichte in Oelde
.
Until several years ago Ratzeputz was distilled in the centre of Celle. The reason why the strong smell in the town at weekends has gone is due to the transfer of its production to an industrial estate in Westercelle
. The sales outlet immediately next to the distillery (between Neuer Straße and Zöllnerstraße) in the town centre has also been closed and the number of different bottle sizes has been reduced. The original products are still easy to obtain, however, at least in Celle.
A mix of Ratzeputz with the herb-based spirit Heidegeist under the name 108er is especially common in the Lüneburg Heath, its name being derived by adding their alcohol contents of 58 % and 50 % together.
There are several bars in Germany which specialize in serving Ratzeputz, the most notable of which is 'Ratzeputz Bar' on Weserstrasse, Neukölln
, Berlin.
Spirit
The English word spirit has many differing meanings and connotations, most of them relating to a non-corporeal substance contrasted with the material body.The spirit of a living thing usually refers to or explains its consciousness.The notions of a person's "spirit" and "soul" often also overlap,...
popular in Germany, which contains extracts and distillates of root ginger
Ginger
Ginger is the rhizome of the plant Zingiber officinale, consumed as a delicacy, medicine, or spice. It lends its name to its genus and family . Other notable members of this plant family are turmeric, cardamom, and galangal....
. The fresh ginger it contains is said to be beneficial to the stomach.
Ratzeputz today (2006) only contains 58 % alcohol
Alcohol
In chemistry, an alcohol is an organic compound in which the hydroxy functional group is bound to a carbon atom. In particular, this carbon center should be saturated, having single bonds to three other atoms....
; whereas higher proportions of alcohol used to be common. The ingredients, which are found by most consumers to be sharp, are intended to leave a long aftertaste in the mouth and throat.
Ratzeputz was first created in 1877 by Peter Weidmann, a distiller in Celle
Celle
Celle is a town and capital of the district of Celle, in Lower Saxony, Germany. The town is situated on the banks of the River Aller, a tributary of the Weser and has a population of about 71,000...
. In that town, the Lüneburg Heath
Lüneburg Heath
The Lüneburg Heath is a large area of heath, geest and woodland in northeastern part of the state of Lower Saxony in northern Germany. It forms part of the hinterland for the cities of Hamburg, Hanover, and Bremen and is named after the town of Lüneburg. Most of the area is a nature reserve...
region and its surrounding area, Ratzeputz is a well-known, high-alcohol spirit
Spirit
The English word spirit has many differing meanings and connotations, most of them relating to a non-corporeal substance contrasted with the material body.The spirit of a living thing usually refers to or explains its consciousness.The notions of a person's "spirit" and "soul" often also overlap,...
-based speciality. Its strong but delicate ginger flavour has helped it gain considerable international attention as well. Originally bottled by C.W. Baland & Langebartels in Celle
Celle
Celle is a town and capital of the district of Celle, in Lower Saxony, Germany. The town is situated on the banks of the River Aller, a tributary of the Weser and has a population of about 71,000...
, it is now made under licence by Schwarze and Schlichte in Oelde
Oelde
Oelde is a town in the district of Warendorf, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located near Beckum.-Division of the town:Oelde consists of 5 districts:* Oelde* Stromberg* Lette* Sünninghausen* Kirchspiel...
.
Until several years ago Ratzeputz was distilled in the centre of Celle. The reason why the strong smell in the town at weekends has gone is due to the transfer of its production to an industrial estate in Westercelle
Westercelle
Westercelle is a suburb of the district town of Celle in Lower Saxony, Germany, that lies 3 kilometres south of the town centre on the river Fuhse.- History :...
. The sales outlet immediately next to the distillery (between Neuer Straße and Zöllnerstraße) in the town centre has also been closed and the number of different bottle sizes has been reduced. The original products are still easy to obtain, however, at least in Celle.
A mix of Ratzeputz with the herb-based spirit Heidegeist under the name 108er is especially common in the Lüneburg Heath, its name being derived by adding their alcohol contents of 58 % and 50 % together.
There are several bars in Germany which specialize in serving Ratzeputz, the most notable of which is 'Ratzeputz Bar' on Weserstrasse, Neukölln
Neukölln
Neukölln is the eighth borough of Berlin, located in the southeastern part of the city and was part of the former American sector under the Four-Power occupation of the city...
, Berlin.