Glögg is one of those drinks that’s closely associated with Christmas, and for many, it’s a cherished holiday tradition. However, it’s also a drink that divides opinions – you either love it, or you’d rather sip on something else.
Regardless of personal taste, glögg is undeniably a key part of Swedish holiday culture. Here are some interesting facts about glögg that you might not know:
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The word "glögg" originates from the older Swedish term glödg, which is derived from the verb glödga, meaning "to heat up." The tradition of enjoying warm, spiced beverages has deep roots in Swedish history.
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Spiced, heated wine isn’t unique to Sweden – it goes all the way back to ancient Greece and Rome, where people drank spiced, warmed wine for both health reasons and to improve the flavor of inferior wines. It was a drink that served both medicinal and pleasurable purposes.
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Did you know that there are similar traditions in other parts of the world? In Brazil, for example, they drink a hot spiced beverage called quentão, often made with ginger and sometimes with cachaça. In Chile, a similar drink called navegado is made by warming red wine with orange slices and spices – a South American twist on Sweden’s beloved glögg.
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Glögg’s popularity in Sweden really took off in the 19th century when it began to be sold in bottles. Before that, people would mix it themselves at home. During the Victorian era in Europe, the drink became more associated with festive occasions and Christmas celebrations.
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Today, modern versions of glögg usually have a red wine base, but there are also alcohol-free versions and innovative flavors like white glögg, glögg with licorice, and even chocolate glögg. This means that glögg continues to be a dynamic and evolving tradition with something for everyone to enjoy.
So, next time you sip on some glögg, remember its rich history and how this festive drink has connected people across cultures for centuries!
