INTOXICANTS

This week, at the urging of a friend, I move on to China.  They have a drink I doubt many of you have heard of, much less imbibed.  It is called Baijiu (the pronunciation is bay'-gee-you').

Baijiu is a clear liquor - the most widely consumed alcoholic beverage in the world.  (That should remind you how many Chinese people there are)  It is sold at 56 proof and all the way to 130 proof. 

Like all liquors, the distillation process begins with a mash.  I've noted the mash of other liquors - some are wheat, some corn, some barley, and some are a mixture.  This is also true with baijiu except that the limits of what you can put in the mash are greatly expanded.  There are dozens of different types of baijiu but you're likely to be drinking a beverage that includes rice, grass, flowers, medicinal herbs, tea or bamboo leaves, vegetables and maybe the kitchen sink. 

Is it good?  I don't know but could a billion Chinese people be wrong?  My suggestion is:  claim that you have tried it but don't.
😎