Amaretto

The Amaretto Disaronno square bottle

The term amaretto refers to a sweet liqueur made from a basic infusion of almonds or the almond-like kernels from the stones of drupe fruits, as well as a related biscotto[1] (usually referred to in the plural, biscotti). Both originate in Italy, where major brands are still produced today.

Origin

Etymology

The name is a diminutive of the Italian amaro, meaning "bitter", indicating the distinctive flavor lent by the mandorla amara--the bitter almond or the drupe kernel.[2][3]. However, these are not unpalatably bitter, and their flavor is enhanced by sweeteners, and sometimes sweet almonds, in the final products[4]. Therefore, the liqueur's name can be said to describe the taste as "a little bitter", and the plural, referring to the biscuits, suggests "little bitter things" or "things [that are] a little bitter".

Amaretto should not be confused with amaro, a different Italian liqueur that is flavored with herbs.

History

Sicily is mostly responsible for the introduction of almonds into general Italian cuisine. Its location has encouraged contact with a variety of ethnic groups who made their presence known in the Mediterranean. Ancient and early Medieval Sicilians traded and otherwise interacted with neighboring Levant cultures to whose lands the almond was indigenous. Later, power in Sicily was taken by the Arabs or "Saracens"; their dominating presence from the 9th to the 11th centuries CE helped to diffuse many Arabic cultural and culinary concepts throughout the region.

Almonds became a favored component in Italian food and drink as Arab-Sicilian influence spread over the peninsular mainland, inspiring innovations. The concept reached all the way to the north of Italy, including the region of Lombardy, in which a municipality named Saronno would become famous for its almond-infused liqueur. In many regions, particularly these northernmost ones, distinct local varieties of amaretti developed. Amaretti di Sassello, unique to Liguria, are very soft and moist, like marzipan. Amaretti di Saronno, at the other end of the spectrum with a crunchy, crisp texture, became associated with the liqueur of the same town and therefore the most prominent style.[5]

Tradition

Despite apparently clear etymology of the terms, and known history on the introduction and acceptance of almonds into Italian cuisine, more recent takes on the meanings and origins have come about, further popularized by the two major brands. Though of sometimes questionable factuality, these tales hold a sentimental place in Saronno culture.

Legends

• The liqueur

In 1525, a Saronno church commissioned artist and Da Vinci student Bernardino Luini to paint their sanctuary with frescoes.[6] As the church was dedicated to Mary, Luini needed to depict the Madonna, but was in need of a model. He found his inspiration in a young widowed innkeeper, who became his model and (in most versions) lover. Out of gratitude and affection, the woman wished to give him a gift. Her simple means did not permit much, so she steeped apricot kernels in brandy and presented the resulting concoction to a touched Luini.[7][8]

• The biscuit

The invention of amaretti has also received an amorous Renaissance treatment. In the early 1700s, a Milanese bishop or cardinal surprised the town of Saronno with a visit. A young couple, residents of the town, welcomed him and paid tribute with an original confection: on the spur of the moment, they had baked biscuits made of sugar, egg whites, and crushed apricot kernels or almonds. These so pleased the visiting bishop that he blessed the two with a happy and lifelong marriage, resulting in the preservation of the secret recipe over many generations.[9]

Amare vs. amore

Conflation of the homophonous amare with amore ("love") is primarily responsible for the associations with romance[10]. The similarity of amaretto and amoretto leads to the concept of "a little bitter love", referring to the humble but honest offering of Luini's lover. The amaretti created by the amoretti were small biscuits, like love both bitter and sweet, and presented wrapped together in pairs like a pair of sweethearts.

Usage

Amaretto serves a variety of culinary uses. It may be served by itself, with ice ("on the rocks") or with other beverages, alcoholic or non-alcoholic, to create mixed drinks such as the amaretto sour and the Caffe Zurich. The latter drink incorporates amaretto and coffee, an extremely popular flavor combination: other mixed drinks call for Kahlúa, but in the everyday cup of coffee, nonalcoholic amaretto flavor may be added by means of widely-available flavored syrups, creamers, and so on. Other sweet concoctions blend ice cream or cream with amaretto.

Mixing Amaretto with cola gives a cherry cola taste.

Amaretto is added to desserts, which enhance the flavor with almonds or complement it with chocolate; savory recipes which call for it usually focus on meat, such as chicken.

Amaretti are not commonly used as an ingredient outside Italy. As mentioned, steeping them is one method of creating amaretto. The crisp texture of Saronno's macaroon lends itself to tiramisu-like creations. Amaretti crumbs might be sprinkled on top of ice cream or gelato, and Lazzaroni adds them to their line of chocolate bars.

Brands

Disaronno Originale

Disaronno Originale (56 proof), the most popular brand, has a characteristic bittersweet almond taste and is known for its distinctive appearance. Calling itself the "original" amaretto, the brand claims the Luini tale as its own particular history. As the story is continued on the Disaronno website, apothecary Domenico Reina of Saronno improved on the young widow's creation in the late 1700s, creating a "secret formula" that became so popular his family still produces it in the town today and sells it worldwide.[11]

The company describes its amaretto as an infusion of "apricot kernel oil" with "absolute alcohol, burnt sugar, and the pure essence of seventeen selected herbs and fruits". The amber liqueur is presented in a rectangular glass decanter designed by a craftsman from Murano.

Formerly known as "Amaretto Disaronno", the company altered the name to "Disaronno Originale" after copyright issues arose[12].

Lazzaroni Amaretto

Lazzaroni Amaretto (48 proof), produced by Paolo Lazzaroni & Figli S.p.A., also presents itself as the first such liqueur. However, it is based on an infusion of Amaretti di Saronno, a process which imparts a "delicate almond/apricot flavor".[13] Lazzaroni claim the tale of the young couple blessed by the bishop as the origin of their the generations-guarded family recipe, dating it to 1718; the amaretto has been in production since 1851.

Lazzaroni Amaretti di Saronno are a popular brand of Italian almond macaroons, sold in various sizes and still wrapped in pairs in colorful paper. Both the biscotti and the liqueur are noted for their distinctive and uniform red packaging.