One of Italy's largest selling liquors, Strega has been produced in Benevento since 1860. Giuseppe Alberti named it Strega (witch's love potion). Strega is a liquor with digestive qualities. It is made up of 70 herbs and spices which include Samnite mint, Ceylon cinnamon, Florentine iris, Italian Apennine Juniper, fennel, and saffron. The saffron is the key to Strega's signature yellow color and the mint and juniper are two of the most pronounced flavors within the herbal mixture. Strega is aged in ash barrels to allow the various flavors and aromas to blend. Only two people left in the world have this secret recipe.
Strega is the Italian word for 'witch' and the liquor is sometimes referred to as such. The name is appropriate because the town of Benevento has long been considered the City of Witches and folklore says it has been a gathering place for the witches of the world. The same company that makes Strega also makes Torrone, which is honey, egg whites, herbs,and roasted almonds.
Another thing about Strega, for those who read The Godfather novel by Mario Puzo, when Tom Hagen has the unpleasant task of telling Don Corleone that his son Sonny has been ambushed and killed, he is found in the den drinking Strega in order to calm his nerves before he gives the tragic news to the Godfather.
One day I will give my personal opinion on the mafia and it's correlation with Italian witchcraft. Mens mysteries and the secret society of La Costa Nostra. Secrets will always be a part of our heritage. And for good reason.
Blessings,
Dusio
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