Description: The soldiers Octavian Augustus discovered the fruit of azarole in the eastern Mediterranean and imported it immediately to Europe; hence the name of Imperial Orb. An ovate fruit of bright red color and tasty flavor, slightly acid, which vaguely resembles the common hawthorn. Its name Crataegus azarolus derives from a combination of the Greek (Krataigen) and Arabic (Az-zou'rour): the Arabs in fact brought it to Spain and then to France where still today it‘s „thorn of Spain".
The fruit of azarole is sweet and provides small amount of fruit flesh, which is particularly suitable for the preparation of jams and of course for flavoring grappas.
Ingredients: - a handful of azarole fruit - some sugar - 1 liter of Grappa
Preparation: Two handfuls of azarole fruits have to be placed with some sugar in a litre of Grappa, leaving the bottle for two months in the sun. After the filtration it will be left to age for 30 days. The liquor will have obtained a honeyed scent, a fruit flavor and an orange color.
