This section is from the book "Beverages And Their Adulteration Origin, Composition, Manufacture, Natural, Artificial, Fermented, Distilled, Alkaloidal And Fruit Juices", by Harvey W. Wiley. Also available from Amazon: Beverages And Their Adulteration.
In Europe considerable quantities of brandies are made from prunes and plums. These are said to have a pure, pleasant fragrance and flavor, and also from the seeds of these fruits is derived a bitter principle similar to that in the cherry brandy.
In the Black Forest huckleberries and raspberries are fermented and a brandy derived therefrom which is highly praised on account of its aroma and taste.
In South Germany and Switzerland a distilled spirit is also made out of the root of the yellow gentian, which contains a kind of sugar capable of fermentation. This distilled spirit has a tart, aromatic flavor and is highly esteemed.
 
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