Turnip Schnapps
The modest root vegetable makes a potent liquor in Wildschönau, Austria.
If all the world’s vegetables gathered for a shindig, the humble turnip probably wouldn’t be the life of the party. But in Austria’s Wildschönau Valley, a shot of schnapps made from the root veggie could very well get one started. Local residents have been distilling a strong turnip liquor called Wildschönauer Krautinger as far back as the 1700s, when Habsburg empress Maria Theresa granted 51 area farmers the exclusive rights to produce it. Around 15 families still make it today. Wildschönau residents celebrate all things turnip during the Krautinger Week festival in October.
Turnips were traditionally a staple of the alpine diet since they can tolerate the challenging mountain growing conditions. Turnip sauerkraut provided nourishment throughout the winter, improved digestion, and the vegetable even earned a spot on some noble families’ coats of arms.
The schnapps is unique, with a distinct whiff of vegetables. “The smell takes some getting used to and you either love or hate the taste,” a tourist site promoting the region concedes. One blogger describes it as “a hit of pure sauerkraut, which [trails] off into something weird which reminded me of a pair of training shoes I once owned.” (Best review ever)
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“I was raised almost entirely on turnips and potatoes,
but I think that the turnips had more to do with the effect than the potatoes.“
-Marlene Deitrich
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credits: gastro obscura, wildschonau tourismus, photographer – r. newman
Now you have me wondering about carrot liquor, yam liquor, and parsnip liquor. I am not going to Google it, as I will just safely assume we have figured out how to make liquor out of anything by now.
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I’m quite sure we have, we are ingenious that way.
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I think Marlene got it right with the potatoes …. the basic vegetable used in making Vodka..!!
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right!
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I love turnips: with carrots they are my fave veg; I reckon I could give it a try: I like that opening sentence: ‘if all the world’s vegetables gathered for a shindig ….’
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let me know if you do –
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will do, Beth 🙂
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Most people here like turnips, cooked by themself or in mutton.
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Interesting Beth, I had no knowledge of such a liquor, but since I have no love of turnips, I don’t see myself drinking it. Cheers!
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you never know, and I’m not a turnip fan myself
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You may be right, you never know…
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I’ll never think of a turnip in the same way from now on. Love the quotes , from two of the greats, too.
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yes, two very different great ones –
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Cheers.
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It gives a whole new meaning to ‘eat more vegetables’. Now you can drink them.
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right. easy-peasy.
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The deep voice says, be quiet and drink your turnips … I little twist in my brain, Beth!
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hahahahaha
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I would give it a miss, but I do like pear schnapps
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i’ve had a bit of peach and enjoyed it
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Unlike ms_Deitrich and ms_West, I had very few turn up to come up and see me sometime. 😦
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hahahahaha
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I’ll try most anything twice; some things once. Not sure about distilled turnips, but love the idea.
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same, I love the idea of it, but not sure I’d like it at all
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Poor turnip. Even in the root group there’s a hierarchy. LOL What’s with that?
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ha, so true!
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I think I stumbled onto turnips once as a kid, thinking they were potatoes, and didn’t care for them. Haven’t encountered them since.
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I don’t think I’ve ever tasted them
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Well, I’ll try anything once and that includes Schnapps, which I had early one morning while playing golf in frigid weather…idea was it would keep us warm. Worst hangover of my life!
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it kind of sneaks up on you
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I’ll have a sip if it’s being served somewhere I happen to be.
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😂 I’m not sure why I enjoyed this so much….but it made me very happy to read.
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It definitely is a story of a product that calls for happy celebration
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Hmm… Schnapps and turnips in one breath? I think…. No.
Mention of turnip always conjures up “The enormous turnip” for me.
Love the story of….We can do anything if we work together.
Don’t love the vegetable though.
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I’m with you on this, but a lovely tradition
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whoa! never heard of this one before. sounds like an interesting flavor profile. i suppose if you drink enough it won’t matter.
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This is an excellent point
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Something else I never knew. Turnip schnapps must be a distant cousin of limburger cheese.
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Kissing cousins
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I’m pretty open to trying most things once, but this one doesn’t sound too appealing.
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I agree, but I do like its story –
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Fascinating read! Who would have imagined turnip schnapps would be used to brew liquor? I’m glad the tradition hasn’t entirely died. 🙂
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I meant, who would have imagined turnip is used to brew liquor* I didn’t realise I typed the “schnapps” there. Sorry, I typed mindlessly 😅🙈
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no worries at all, i got your meaning )
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me too
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I like turnips, but not sure I want to drink sauerkraut and training shoes. Ewww.
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Yes, the review was not the most inspiring)
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Very interesting!
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Isn’t it?
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Yes!
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Wow…beet liquor, I wonder…
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hmmm – a belt of borsht with a bite
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mmmm…indeed
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sorry, turnips, I think I’ll pass,,,
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that review though….)
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as you note, best review ever! 🙂
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I’ve never heard of this but am now intrigued to try it… even if just the once!
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let us know –
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A drink made from turnip? Does not sound too appealing!
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))
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