|
When Catalan sailors arrived in the West Indies
they discovered a lot of customs that they really
liked. One of them that made its mark among the
sailors and that they brought back to the Empordà
was the 'havaneres' (A Catalan version of typical
Cuban songs). These songs are somewhat melancholy
but the lyrics are full of naivety and feeling.
The sailors spent their evenings listening to
"havaneres" songs, while sipping a fine
glass of burnt rum. The sailors found the delight
of rum there, obtained from distilling sugar cane,
which the West Indians made with a great deal
of wisdom.
In the 'havaneres' songs- along with the traditional
songs brought from the West Indies- sailors songs
from our homeland are mixed with new "havaneres",
composed by contemporary masters with Catalan
lyrics.
This has meant that 'havaneres' have gone beyond
the sailors' setting of the Costa Brava to have
now become popular everywhere, thoroughly enjoyed
by an unconditional and enthusiastic public.
The West Indian rum that arrived in Catalonia
in the middle of the 17th century was a wonderful
ambassador for the Americas and was welcomed in
most households in the country.
It was so popular that Pujol rum began to be produced
in 1818 and its success was really remarkable.
One curious fact in the history of Pujol rum is
that 'ratafia' or Rum was exported... even to
the West Indies! Thus giving prestige to this
brand.
Here at home we drank and we still drink it from
a brandy glass or mixed with coffee (the popular
'carajillo', a word of unknown origin) and, especially,
as a good "cremat" (rum flambé),
because the flavour of Pujol rum is the most suitable
for making a rum flambé with the aromatic
qualities and the flavour everyone expects it
to have.
Needless to say there are as many "good recipes
for making rum flambé" as there are
people who enjoy it. Every sailor from the coast
has a secret recipe up his sleeve and thinks that
his recipe makes the best tasting rum flambé.
Taking into account that the ingredients used
to make Rum Pujol are a good mixture of cane liquors,
neither liquors for aromatization nor too much
cinnamon need to be added to the rum flambé.
We are absolutely sure you will find these two
recipes for rum flambé very easy and the
result will be extremely tasty.
|
