What is Rhum Agricole?
Rhum Agricole is a high-quality rum made from fresh sugar cane juice, which is mainly produced in French overseas territories such as Martinique and Guadeloupe and is characterised by its fruity and complex flavour. Its share of the global rum market is only three to five per cent. It is something special!
What is the difference between rum and rhum agricole?
The main difference is the raw material! Rhum Agricole is made from fresh sugar cane juice, while classic rum or rhum traditionel is based on molasses. Molasses is a by-product of sugar production from sugar cane. Agricultural (agricole) processing takes centre stage: it is usually harvested, crushed and pressed by hand. Rhum agricole also often comes from the French overseas departments or the islands of the French Antilles. The 'h' in Rhum also results from the French spelling.
On the islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe, it is also partially subject to the AOC guidelines. The abbreviation stands for the French term Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée and is a protected designation of origin.
How was Rhum Agricole created?
A little history about Rhum Agricole
After the discovery of sugar beet for sugar production, sugar cane cultivation declined and there was no longer enough molasses for rum production. As a result, sugar cane was cultivated exclusively for rum production and rum was distilled directly from the sugar cane juice, as the demand for rum was unbroken.
Voilà! Rhum Agricole was born.
The production of Rhum Agricole
The raw material for Rhum Agricole is fresh sugar cane juice, which is much more sensitive than molasses. The sugar cane juice must therefore be processed as quickly as possible, which also explains the use of sugar cane from the company's own cultivation in the immediate vicinity of the rum distilleries. This gives the rum an additional terroir character.
After cutting, the sugar cane is processed within 36 hours at the latest. Firstly, the sugar cane is pressed and the juice obtained is fermented with yeast cultures over a period of 24 to 72 hours.
It is then distilled in a column still to an alcohol content of 65 to 75 % vol.
The distillate is then bottled either as white rum without barrel ageing or as brown rum with barrel ageing.
Where is Rhum Agricole produced?
The French Antilles in particular, with the islands of Martinique, Guadeloupe and La Réunion, are known for the high quality of their rhum agricole.
What does Rhum Agricole taste like?
Rhum Agricole is of high quality and offers a wide variety of flavours. You can drink it straight, but of course you can also use it for mixed drinks, e.g. as a simple Ti Punch ('ti' from petit) - this consists of rum, lime and sugar!
To comment, you must be logged in