Comments on: Queimada: Galicia’s alcohol-fueled, devil-be-gone ritual

By: Anie

Anie — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 14:39:00 +0000

Actually, I was wrong about the date of the pot. It was made in the 1950′s. The drink was from the 11th-12th Century, and the ritual from the 1960′s. Satan and Beelzebub’s name were added in the 1970′s. I’d appreciate any info you have otherwise?

By: Anie

Anie — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 14:34:00 +0000

I’ve been doing some research, Susan. From everything I can find, the Queimada ritual was written in the 1960s by a theatrical fellow to be performed in a discotec in Vigo. The clay pot was added for effect in the 1970′s. Do you have any scholarly evidence to the contrary?

By: Bloggs

Bloggs — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 17:43:00 +0000

Celts and 11th century? I thought Galicia was predominantly
Christian by then, especially seeing all of the 9th to 12th
century monasteries and churches this land has.

The article also says “The aguardiente de orjuo is mixed
with herbs or coffee, sugar, lemon peel, and coffee beans.”

It is either aguardiente or orujo depending on which language
you are using; Galician or Castelaño. Not of the ingredients in the list are
added to a Queimada. The best is just with a little sugar and lemon peel. That
is also the most traditional.

By: Maricarmen Gomez

Maricarmen Gomez — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 04:56:29 +0000

Maribel- Queimadas are galician and not held everywhere… Brendan, in Canada we have nothing close to it. Aguardiente, especially the one made in Galicia is the strongest drink I have ever had. Tequila is water compared to this.

In Latin America, they too make aguardiente, but not like we do in Spain. Colombian and Cuban friends have come over, tried aguardiente and thought it to be the strongest drink they have had.

Try it burnt (queimada) and with sugar. hahahahaha!! I suggest that you not drink too much if you have not tried aguardiente in its non-cooked state. hahahahaha!!

By: Maribel

Maribel — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:46:34 +0000

Wow, what a drink! It not only purifies your soul and mind but rises your passion! What else could I ever want from a drink. I’ll make sure I try it next time I’m in Spain.

By: Flavia

Flavia — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 07:09:34 +0000

In Goa, India, the old folk burn cashew feni (caju) in a saucer with a bit of sugar and some cloves and peppercorns. The resulting liquid is supposed to be a remedy for the common cold.

By: Brendan Murphy

Brendan Murphy — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:59:25 +0000

the cloesest we have in Montreal to this is Absinthe at Bily Kun, and the ritual after it involves eating a huge poutine

By: Janet

Janet — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:26:16 +0000

Looks like a scary drink to prepare but I love the idea of purification! Great article!

By: Sheila Dubin

Sheila Dubin — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 15:43:26 +0000

Does the legend say anything about clearing up floaters in your eyes? In any case, this looks flaming interesting. Thanks for sharing.

By: Bruce T

Bruce T — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 14:34:55 +0000

And who, after all, couldn’t use a bit of soul purification?