Do you know that Curacao has a beverage that they can be proud of? This is the Curacao liqueur, an orange flavored liqueur that is well-known around the world. In fact, the Curacao liqueur is considered the international ambassador of the island. Its name is bigger than the Curacao island itself. So what is this Curacao liqueur and how it came to be such a big hit around the world?
The Curacao liqueur is made from the dried peels of the bitter oranges or “Laraha” oranges that are found on the Caribbean, specifically the island of Curacao. Laraha is the cousin of the Valencia orange. The origin of Curacao liqueur started in 1499 when the Spaniards discovered Curacao. They brought a plant with them, the “Valencia” orange, which is sweet and juicy.
However, due to the climate of Curacao and its soil conditions, the fruit of the Valencia orange became bitter, almost inedible. With this result, the plan to cultivate Valencia oranges in Curacao was abandoned, and the plants were left to grow wild. Decades later, people in Curacao discovered that if the peels of the Valencia fruit were dried thoroughly under the sun, it would produce oil with a surprising pleasant fragrance. A recipe was then developed by a Jewish family (Senior family) in Curacao. The oil was mixed with various exotic spices. This is how the Curacao liqueur came to be.
The Senior family made a huge investment to market the product and start a Curacao liqueur industry. Curacao liqueur has become a world success and with that many liquor manufacturers worldwide produced Curacao liqueur but with artificial flavors. The original Curacao liqueur is called “Curacao of Curacao” and has a clear color. It later changed, and is now available in various colors for cocktail purposes (blue, red, orange and green). These colored variants have the same taste as that of the original liqueur. However, the name Curacao liqueur is now generic and can be based on any white spirits.
Today, the Curacao liqueur is available in different flavors. Many manufacturers around the world are now producing Curacao liqueur. The Mansion where the original Curacao liqueur was made is now considered a “Protected Monument” by the Curacao government. This mansion is called “Chobolobo Mansion” or “Country Estate”, and on its premises is a distillery of Curacao liqueur. You’ll not miss this place when you visit Curacao since this is one of the popular tourist attractions of the island.
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