Limoncello

The exact origin of limoncello is disputed. The industry trade group says that limoncello was created at the beginning of the 1900s by the grandmother of Maria Antonia Farace, who lived in a small guesthouse in Isola Azzurra. According to Charles Perry of the Los Angeles Times, limoncello was invented in Sicily about 100 years ago. Journalist Kristen Tillotson of the Minneapolis Star Tribune says that it was first made on the Amalfi coast, where several villages and islands claim to be its place of origin. It may have been invented by a citrus-grove tender from Azzurra around 1900 or it may have been invented by monks or fishermen much earlier. ==Production==

Limoncello is mainly produced in southern Italy, especially in the region around the Gulf of Naples, the Amalfi Coast, Sicily and Gargano. Traditionally, limoncello is made from the zest of Femminello St. Teresa lemons, also known as Sorrento or Sfusato lemons. Lemon zest, or peel without the pith, is steeped in rectified spirit until the oil is released. The resulting yellow liquid is then mixed with simple syrup. Varying the sugar-to-water ratio and the temperature affects the clarity, viscosity, and flavor. It has a slightly turbid appearance, which originates from the presence of small (approximately 100 nanometers) essential oil droplets suspended in the drink. Opaque limoncello is the result of spontaneous emulsification (otherwise known as the ouzo effect) of the sugar syrup and extracted lemon oils. Commercial production was about 15 million liters in 2003. ==Popularity==

Limoncello is the second-most popular liqueur in Italy after Campari. ==Serving==

Limoncello is traditionally served chilled as an after-dinner digestif. It can also be served as a spritz by mixing it with Prosecco or Diet Tonic water, known as a Ligurian Riviera spritz. With Limoncello originating from the Amalfi Coast, it is sometimes known as an Amalfi spritz when mixed with Lemonade soda water. ==Alcohol content==

Alcohol content can vary widely, especially among homemade variants, but the typical alcohol content is about 30% (+/-3%) by volume. ==Variants==

Many variations of limoncello are also available. These include arancello (flavored with oranges), agrumello (flavored with mixed citrus), pistachiocello (flavored with pistachio nuts), meloncello (flavored with cantaloupe), and fragoncello (flavored with strawberry). A version made with milk instead of simple syrup also exists, known as and is often less alcoholic, at around 17% alcohol content by volume. ==See also==