What's a paratif? A digestif?!


Question: Is there another related term/subject? I know it's all about wine or dining but I don't really know what they mean?


Answers: Is there another related term/subject? I know it's all about wine or dining but I don't really know what they mean?

These are french terms for the drinks--usually alcoholic--that are served before and after a meal. The "apéritif" comes before the meal and the "digestif" comes afterward.

Ditto.

An apéritif is an alcoholic drink taken as an appetizer before a meal. A digestif is taken after a meal, supposedly to aid digestion.

APERITIF
An aperitif, apéritif (Fr.), or aperitivo (It.) is an alcoholic drink usually enjoyed as an appetizer before a large meal. It is often served with something small to eat, like olives or crackers.

The word is derived from the Latin verb "aperire", which means to open.

The apéritif indicates by extension the food-picking which can precede the meal. This includes finger food, usually pistachios, chips or peanuts. On broader terms, the apéritif applies to all types of food (small cakes, cut out fruits, pork-butcheries, tapas, cheeses and other imaginative assortments) which are served along the drinks, corresponding to the concept of tapas and Russian zakouski.

An apéritif can also refer to a social occasion involving cocktails and a light meal without the necessity of a meal afterwards.

DIGESTIF
A digestif is a beverage, usually small and alcoholic, which is consumed at the end of a meal. Some believe that a digestif aids the digestion of food, and bitter or carminative herbs are generally added to the alcohol. The term is lifted from French. Digestifs can be compared with apéritifs, which are drunk before a meal — usually, the digestif will be heavier and more alcoholic. A common rule of thumb is that white (clear) spirits are served as apéritifs while brown ones are served as digestifs.

Digestifs are usually drunk neat and are most often spirits; cognac is a common selection. Other likely choices include armagnacs, brandies, and whiskies. Some wines (usually fortified) are served as digestifs as well — for instance, port, sherry, or madeira. Non-alcoholic drinks such as coffee, though often drunk following a meal, would usually not be considered digestifs.

I think the term you're looking for is aperitif` which just like it's food counterpart (appetizer) is drunk before the meal. A digestif` you may then be able to guess is drunk after the meal to help the digestion. Aperitifs usually consist of subtle liqueurs such as amaretto and can be poured over ice while digestifs usually consist of well distilled brandy or cognac and are usually taken 'neat' or straight.

One of the best digestifs is called "punt a mes" meaning "point and a half" Though since it's Italian it's called a digestivo.





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